Shloka 45
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
कदाचिद् व्यसन प्राप्य संधिं कुर्यान्मया सह । बलिना संनिकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रह:
kadācid vyasana prāpya sandhiṁ kuryān mayā saha | balinā saṁnikṛṣṭasya śatror api parigrahaḥ ||
Kadang-kadang, ketika malapetaka menimpa, orang patut berdamai bahkan denganku; sebab bila musuh yang kuat telah mendekat, menerima perlindungan atau persekutuan musuh itu pun bisa menjadi keharusan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In extreme adversity, rigid hostility may be ethically and strategically inferior to preserving life and stability; therefore, one may seek peace—even with a rival—or accept support from a former enemy when a stronger threat is imminent.
Bhīṣma, instructing on rājadharma in the Śānti Parva, advises that circumstances of danger can justify making a treaty or even taking refuge in an enemy’s power, emphasizing practical judgment in governance and survival.