Shloka 45
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
कदाचिद् व्यसन प्राप्य संधिं कुर्यान्मया सह । बलिना संनिकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रह:
kadācid vyasana prāpya sandhiṁ kuryān mayā saha | balinā saṁnikṛṣṭasya śatror api parigrahaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Il arrive que, lorsque le malheur s’abat sur quelqu’un, il faille conclure la paix même avec moi. Car quand un ennemi puissant s’est approché, accepter jusqu’à sa protection ou son alliance peut devenir nécessaire. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In extreme adversity, rigid hostility may be ethically and strategically inferior to preserving life and stability; therefore, one may seek peace—even with a rival—or accept support from a former enemy when a stronger threat is imminent.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, advises that circumstances of danger can justify making a treaty or even taking refuge in an enemy’s power, emphasizing practical judgment in governance and survival.