Shloka 14
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
तस्माद् विश्वसितव्यं च विग्रहं च समाचरेत् । देशं कालं॑ च विज्ञाय कार्याकार्यविनिश्षये,अतः देश-कालको समझकर कर्तव्य-अकर्तव्यका निश्चय करके किसीपर विश्वास और किसीके साथ युद्ध करना चाहिये
tasmād viśvasitavyaṃ ca vigrahaṃ ca samācaret | deśaṃ kālaṃ ca vijñāya kāryākārya-viniścaye ||
Karena itu, dengan memahami tempat dan waktu, hendaklah ditetapkan mana yang patut dilakukan dan mana yang tidak; lalu sesuai keadaan, di satu pihak menaruh kepercayaan, dan di pihak lain menempuh pertentangan bila diperlukan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches contextual ethics: decisions about trusting others or engaging in conflict should be made only after judging deśa (place/circumstances) and kāla (time/occasion), and clearly discerning kārya (right action) versus akārya (wrong action).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on conduct and governance, Bhishma is laying down a practical rule for rulers and householders alike: do not act from impulse—first assess circumstances, then decide whether conciliation/trust or opposition/war best serves dharma and the intended goal.