Shloka 16
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
यो हामित्रैर्नरो नित्यं न संदध्यादपण्डित: । न सो<र्थ प्राप्रुयात् किंचित् फलान्यपि च भारत
yo hy amitrair naro nityaṃ na sandadhyād apaṇḍitaḥ | na so 'rthaṃ prāpnuyāt kiṃcit phalāny api ca bhārata ||
Dijo Bhishma: Oh Bharata, el necio que, en toda circunstancia, se niega a cualquier acomodo o tratado incluso con los enemigos, no logrará ningún fin práctico ni obtendrá fruto alguno. En el gobierno y en la conducta, la hostilidad rígida, sin conciliación a su debido tiempo, destruye el propio propósito.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that wisdom in dharma and statecraft includes knowing when to reconcile—even with enemies. Absolute refusal to negotiate is not valor but folly, because it prevents achieving one’s legitimate aims and yields no beneficial outcomes.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on governance and ethical conduct after the war. Here he emphasizes practical diplomacy: making timely compacts or peace can be necessary for securing objectives and welfare.