Shloka 11
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
एवं श्र॒ुत्वा निराक्रम्य दीर्घदर्शी महामति: । जगाम स्रोतसा तेन गम्भीर॑ं सलिलाशयम्,यह सुनकर परम बुद्धिमान दीर्घदर्शी (अनागत-विधाता) वहाँसे निकलकर एक नालीके रास्तेसे दूसरे गहरे जलाशयमें चला गया
evaṁ śrutvā nirākramya dīrghadarśī mahāmatiḥ | jagāma srotasā tena gambhīraṁ salilāśayam ||
À ces mots, celui qui voyait loin, d’une grande sagesse, se retira de ce lieu et, suivant ce même chenal d’eau, gagna un autre bassin, profond et immobile, choisissant la prudence plutôt qu’une avance téméraire.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dīrghadarśitā—foresight and prudent restraint. After receiving information, the wise person does not act impulsively but withdraws and chooses a safer, more suitable path, implying that ethical action often requires patience and long-term judgment.
After hearing what has been said, a far-seeing, intelligent figure leaves the spot and travels along a water-channel to reach another, deeper reservoir. The movement suggests deliberate repositioning—retreating from one place and proceeding to a more secure or appropriate location.