Shloka 193

आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः

Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca

Devanagari script

अस्मिन्नर्थ च गाथे द्वे निबोधोशनसा कृते । शत्रुसाधारणे कृत्ये कृत्वा संधि बलीयसा

Transliteration

asminn arthe ca gāthe dve nibodha uśanasā kṛte | śatrusādhāraṇe kṛtye kṛtvā sandhi balīyasā

Translation

“On this very point, listen to two verses composed by Uśanas: when a task concerns a common enemy, one should first make an alliance with the stronger party.”

Word by Word

अस्मिन्in this

अर्थेmatter, topic

चand

गाथेtwo verses/stanzas

द्वेtwo

निबोधunderstand; listen

उशनसाby Uśanas (Śukra)

कृतेmade, composed

शत्रु-साधारणेin a task common (to you) and the enemy; in a shared matter with the enemy

कृत्येin a duty/undertaking; in a business

कृत्वाhaving made/done

सन्धिम्alliance, treaty, peace

बलीयसाwith the stronger (one)

Speaker

लोमश उवाच

Characters & Entities

Lomaśa

Uśanas (Śukra)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

When facing a situation involving a common enemy, prudent policy is to secure a pact with the stronger side first, using alliance (sandhi) as a means to stabilize danger and act effectively.

What is happening in the narrative?

Lomaśa introduces two instructive stanzas attributed to the sage Uśanas, presenting a rule of conduct from political-ethical counsel: in a shared-enemy context, one should align with the more powerful ally.