Shloka 18
Akṣara–Kṣara Viveka: Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda (अक्षर-क्षर विवेकः)
संचिन्त्य मनसा राजन् विदित्वा शक््यमात्मन: । करोति य: शुभं कर्म स वै भद्राणि पश्यति
sañcintya manasā rājan viditvā śakyam ātmanaḥ | karoti yaḥ śubhaṃ karma sa vai bhadrāṇi paśyati ||
Ô roi ! Celui qui, d’abord, réfléchit soigneusement en son esprit, détermine ce qui est réellement à sa portée, puis entreprend une action salutaire, celui-là voit assurément le bien et la prospérité.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should deliberate carefully, assess one’s true capacity, and then perform wholesome action; such prudent, ethical action leads to welfare and good outcomes.
In a didactic exchange within the Śānti Parva, the sage Parāśara addresses a king and offers counsel on disciplined decision-making: reflection and realistic self-knowledge should precede the undertaking of virtuous deeds.