Shloka 14
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
तस्माद् विश्वसितव्यं च विग्रहं च समाचरेत् । देशं कालं॑ च विज्ञाय कार्याकार्यविनिश्षये,अतः देश-कालको समझकर कर्तव्य-अकर्तव्यका निश्चय करके किसीपर विश्वास और किसीके साथ युद्ध करना चाहिये
tasmād viśvasitavyaṃ ca vigrahaṃ ca samācaret | deśaṃ kālaṃ ca vijñāya kāryākārya-viniścaye ||
Ainsi, il faut savoir quand accorder sa confiance et quand entrer en conflit. Ayant compris le lieu et le temps, on doit déterminer ce qui doit être fait et ce qui ne doit pas l’être ; et, sur cette base, s’en remettre à autrui ou s’y opposer, selon ce que requiert la circonstance.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches contextual ethics: decisions about trusting others or engaging in conflict should be made only after judging deśa (place/circumstances) and kāla (time/occasion), and clearly discerning kārya (right action) versus akārya (wrong action).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Bhishma is laying down a practical rule for rulers and householders alike: do not act from impulse—first assess circumstances, then decide whether conciliation/trust or opposition/war best serves dharma and the intended goal.