Shloka 15
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
गृह्मेव तदुद्यानं गृहीत्वा तं तथैव सः । सवनिव च तांस्तत्र ते विदुर्गथितानिति
gṛhītvā tadudyānaṃ gṛhītvā taṃ tathaiva saḥ | sa-vanīva ca tāṃs tatra te vidur gathitān iti ||
Bhīṣma dit : «S’étant saisi de ce stratagème (comme on saisit un collet), il le tint de telle manière qu’il paraissait semblable aux autres. En prenant le cordon dans sa bouche, il semblait, lui aussi, lié comme le reste des poissons ; ainsi les pêcheurs crurent-ils que tous étaient attachés.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward appearance can mislead observers, and how presence of mind can create a protective disguise. Ethically, it cautions against judging solely by what seems evident and illustrates strategic conduct in peril.
A figure (described by Bhīṣma) takes hold of a binding cord/device and holds it in his mouth so that he appears to be tied like the other fish. The fishermen, seeing the same outward sign of being bound, assume all are equally secured.