Shloka 3
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
नातिगाधे जलाधारे सुहृदः कुशलास्त्रय: । प्रभूतमत्स्ये कौन्तेय बभूवु: सहचारिण:
bhīṣma uvāca | nātigādhe jalādhāre suhṛdaḥ kuśalās trayaḥ | prabhūtamatsye kaunteya babhūvuḥ sahacāriṇaḥ ||
कुन्तीनन्दन! कहते हैं—एक जलाशय था जो बहुत गहरा नहीं था, पर उसमें मछलियाँ बहुत थीं। उसी में तीन कार्यकुशल मत्स्य रहते थे, जो सदा साथ-साथ विचरते और परस्पर सुहृद् थे।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets the stage for a moral exemplum: even in a seemingly safe, resource-rich setting, wise beings rely on skill, unity, and foresight. It introduces friendship and prudent intelligence as the basis for ethical survival and right action.
Bhishma begins a story addressed to Yudhiṣṭhira: in a shallow pond full of fish, three capable fish live together as close companions. This opening prepares for subsequent events that will draw out a lesson in conduct (nīti) and discernment.