Shloka 45
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
कदाचिद् व्यसन प्राप्य संधिं कुर्यान्मया सह । बलिना संनिकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रह:
kadācid vyasana prāpya sandhiṁ kuryān mayā saha | balinā saṁnikṛṣṭasya śatror api parigrahaḥ ||
Dijo Bhishma: «A veces, cuando la calamidad cae sobre uno, debe hacerse la paz incluso conmigo. Pues cuando un enemigo poderoso se ha acercado, hasta aceptar su amparo o su alianza puede volverse necesario».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.
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.