Shloka 94
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
ततो मध्यस्थतां नीता वचनैरमृतोपमै: । जम्बुकेन स्वकार्यार्थ बान्धवास्तस्य घिछिता:
tato madhyasthatāṁ nītā vacanair amṛtopamaiḥ | jambukena svakāryārthaṁ bāndhavās tasya gṛhītāḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Then, by words that sounded as sweet as nectar, the jackal led them into a stance of neutrality and hesitation, holding back that boy’s kinsmen for his own advantage. Unable either to go forward or to stay as they wished, they were finally forced to remain where they were.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sweet-sounding speech can be used to conceal adharma: persuasive words that appear ‘nectar-like’ may still serve selfish ends by delaying rightful action and trapping others in indecision.
A jackal, acting for his own benefit, restrains the boy’s relatives through convincing, pleasant-sounding talk, pushing them into a paralyzing ‘middle position’ where they can neither proceed nor withdraw, until they are compelled to stay.