Shloka 5
दीर्घदर्शी–दीर्घसूत्र–संप्रतिपत्तिमान् आख्यानम्
The Parable of Foresight, Procrastination, and Presence of Mind
बह्वदपथ्यं बलवति न किंचित् क्रियते भयात् । उभौ सत्याधिकारस्थौ त्रायेते महतो भयात्
bahv apathyaṁ balavati na kiṁcit kriyate bhayāt | ubhau satyādhikārasthau trāyete mahato bhayāt ||
Bhishma dit : Même si un homme puissant est rempli de nombreux vices nuisibles, par crainte nul n’ose agir contre lui ni même parler ouvertement. Mais lorsque la force et la droiture reposent toutes deux sur satya (la vérité), elles protègent l’homme d’une grande peur ; car le pouvoir retenu par la vérité devient sauvegarde plutôt que menace.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked power breeds fear and silences criticism even when wrongdoing is obvious; but power joined with dharma and firmly rooted in satya becomes protective and stabilizing, removing great fear.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous rule and conduct, Bhishma warns about the social paralysis caused by fear of the strong, and then states the remedy: strength must be anchored in truth and righteousness to safeguard society and the individual.