Shloka 44
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अयमत्यन्तशत्रुमें वैषम्यं परमं गत: । मूढो ग्राहयितुं स्वार्थ सड्भत्या यदि शक््यते
ayam atyantaśatru me vaiṣamyaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ | mūḍho grāhayituṃ svārthaṃ saṅgatyā yadi śakyate ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Celui-ci est bien mon ennemi le plus âpre, et il est tombé dans la détresse la plus extrême. Pourtant, si cela est possible, je dois tenter d’amener ce sot à accepter une voie qui serve mon propre intérêt — en l’attirant dans une alliance. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a hard ethical tension in practical life: even toward an enemy, one may consider strategic association when circumstances create leverage. It invites reflection on when pragmatic self-interest is permissible and how it should be restrained by dharma.
Bhishma describes a situation where a sworn enemy has fallen into severe trouble. Seeing an opportunity, he considers persuading the enemy—through companionship or alliance—to agree to something that advances Bhishma’s own objective.