Shloka 15
Kośa, Bala, and Maryādā: Treasury, Capacity, and Enforceable Limits (कोश-बल-मर्यादा)
धर्म प्राप्य न्यायवृत्ति न बलीयान् न विन्दति । यस्माद् बलस्योपपत्तिरेकान्तेन न विद्यते
dharmaṁ prāpya nyāyavṛttiṁ na balīyān na vindati | yasmād balasyopapattir ekāntena na vidyate ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Même après avoir atteint le dharma, un homme faible n’obtient pas nécessairement une subsistance pleinement conforme à la justice. Car l’acquisition de la force n’est pas garantie de façon absolue par la seule pratique du dharma. Ainsi, en temps de détresse, une conduite qui serait d’ordinaire adharma est parfois appelée “dharma” comme tolérance d’urgence. Pourtant, les sages maintiennent que, même dans le malheur, agir contre le dharma demeure adharma.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma does not mechanically guarantee worldly power or a secure, fully just livelihood; hence emergencies tempt people to justify questionable acts as ‘necessary.’ Still, Bhīṣma underscores that violating dharma remains adharma even when done under pressure—ethical labels should not be diluted by convenience.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and moral conduct, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira about the tension between ideal righteousness and harsh realities. He explains why people invoke ‘emergency dharma’ in crises, while also warning that wise judgment recognizes the moral cost of actions taken against dharma.