Shloka 42
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
बुद्धिर्दीप्ता बलवन्तं हिनस्ति बल॑ बुद्धया पाल्यते वर्धमानम् । शरत्रुर्बुद्धया सीदते वर्धमानो बुद्धे: पश्चात् कर्म यत्तत् प्रशस्तम्
bhīṣma uvāca | buddhir dīptā balavantaṃ hinasti balaṃ buddhyā pālyate vardhamānam | śatrur buddhyā sīdati vardhamāno buddheḥ paścāt karma yat tat praśastam ||
Bhishma berkata: Akal budi yang tajam dan bercahaya dapat merobohkan bahkan orang yang sangat kuat. Kekuatan yang sedang merosot pun dapat dijaga dan dipulihkan melalui kecerdasan. Bahkan musuh yang tengah bertambah kuasa dapat direndahkan oleh siasat yang bijak hingga ia mulai menderita. Karena itu, tindakan yang dilakukan setelah pertimbangan—mengikuti tuntunan budi—itulah yang paling terpuji.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that buddhi (discernment and strategic intelligence) is superior to mere physical power: it can defeat the strong, preserve weakening strength, and subdue even a rising enemy. Actions become truly praiseworthy when they are performed after careful reflection.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on righteous governance and conduct after the war. Here he emphasizes the practical-ethical value of deliberation and intelligence in protecting oneself and the kingdom and in dealing with enemies.