Shloka 6
Saṃhāra-krama (The Sequence of Cosmic Dissolution) — Yājñavalkya’s Discourse
स्वपक्षे कारण ग्राह्मूं समये वचन हितम् । शिष्टानां हि मत ग्राहां त्वद्विधै: शिष्टसम्मतै:
svapakṣe kāraṇa-grāhyaṃ samaye vacanaṃ hitam | śiṣṭānāṃ hi mata-grāhyaṃ tvadvidhaiḥ śiṣṭa-sammataiḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “In one’s own cause, one should accept what is reasonable; and at the proper time one should speak what is beneficial. For the opinion of the cultured is indeed to be accepted—especially by people like you, who are themselves approved by the wise.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Accept what is reasonable even when it concerns your own side, speak beneficial words at the proper time, and treat the judgment of the cultured as authoritative—especially if you are expected to live up to the standards of the wise.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma continues giving ethical counsel, emphasizing timely, welfare-oriented speech and the duty to heed the opinions of virtuous, well-conducted elders.