Shloka 14
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
सपत्नसहिते कार्य कृत्वा सन्धिं न विश्वसेत् । अपक्रामेत् ततः शीघ्र कृतकार्यो विचक्षण:
sapatnasahite kārya kṛtvā sandhiṃ na viśvaset | apakrāmet tataḥ śīghraṃ kṛtakāryo vicakṣaṇaḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Lorsqu’il faut mener une affaire en présence d’un rival, même après avoir conclu un traité, il ne faut pas s’y fier. Une fois son but assuré, l’homme clairvoyant doit se retirer de là sans tarder. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In dealings with an adversary, a treaty may be a necessary instrument, but it should not become a basis for complacent trust. Prudence requires securing one’s aim and then promptly removing oneself from vulnerability.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and polity, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on practical ethics (nīti): how to behave when compelled to negotiate or cooperate with an enemy, emphasizing caution and timely withdrawal after success.