Shloka 108
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
यम्सित्रं भीतवत्साध्यं यन्मित्र॑ भयसंहितम् । सुरक्षितव्यं तत् कार्य पाणि: सर्पमुखादिव,“जो किसी डरे हुए प्राणीद्वारा मित्र बनाया गया हो तथा जो स्वयं भी भयभीत होकर ही उसका मित्र बना हो--इन दोनों प्रकारके मित्रोंकी ही रक्षा होनी चाहिये और जैसे बाजीगर सर्पके मुखसे हाथ बचाकर ही उसे खेलाता है, उसी प्रकार अपनी रक्षा करते हुए ही उन्हें एक दूसरेका कार्य करना चाहिये
yam mitraṁ bhītavat sādhyaṁ yan mitraṁ bhaya-saṁhitam | surakṣitavyaṁ tat kāryaṁ pāṇiḥ sarpa-mukhādiva ||
Bhishma said: “A friendship formed by a frightened creature, and a friendship in which one becomes a friend while oneself remaining fearful—such friendships must be handled with careful protection. One should cooperate in each other’s tasks, yet always safeguard oneself, just as a snake-charmer plays while keeping his hand protected from the serpent’s mouth.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Friendships formed under fear are unstable; therefore one should cooperate, but with vigilance and safeguards—maintaining one’s own security while engaging in mutual duties.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs on dharma and practical conduct. Here he advises how to deal with alliances or friendships arising from fear, illustrating the point with the image of handling a snake while keeping one’s hand protected.