Shloka 45

आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः

Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca

Devanagari script

कदाचिद्‌ व्यसन प्राप्य संधिं कुर्यान्मया सह । बलिना संनिकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रह:

Transliteration

kadācid vyasana prāpya sandhiṁ kuryān mayā saha | balinā saṁnikṛṣṭasya śatror api parigrahaḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “At times, when calamity befalls one, one should even make peace with me. For when a powerful enemy has drawn near, even accepting that enemy’s protection or alliance may become necessary.”

Word by Word

कदाचित्sometimes

व्यसनम्misfortune, calamity

प्राप्यhaving obtained/encountered

सन्धिम्peace, treaty

कुर्यात्should make/should conclude

मयाwith me / by me

सहtogether with

बलिनाby/with a powerful (one)

संनिकृष्टस्यof one who is close/near at hand

शत्रोःof an enemy

अपिeven

परिग्रहःacceptance, taking (as ally/support)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

enemy (śatru)

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?

In extreme adversity, rigid hostility may be ethically and strategically inferior to preserving life and stability; therefore, one may seek peace—even with a rival—or accept support from a former enemy when a stronger threat is imminent.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, advises that circumstances of danger can justify making a treaty or even taking refuge in an enemy’s power, emphasizing practical judgment in governance and survival.