Shloka 36
भीष्मस्य भीमसेन-निरोधः
Bhīṣma checks Bhīmasena; matched engagements intensify
क्रियतां पाण्डवै: सार्थ शमो भरतसत्तम । एतत् क्षेममहं मन्ये पृथिव्यास्तव वा विभो,भरतश्रेष्ठ। तुम पाण्डवोंके साथ संधि कर लो। प्रभो! इसीमें मैं तुम्हारा और भूमण्डलका कल्याण समझता हूँ
kriyatāṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ sārtha śamo bharatasattama | etat kṣemam ahaṃ manye pṛthivyās tava vā vibho ||
Bhīṣma said: “O best of the Bharatas, make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, O king. I consider this course to be the true welfare—both for you, O mighty one, and for the earth itself.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s true dharma is to prioritize kṣema (welfare and security) over pride and vengeance; reconciliation with rightful kin is presented as the ethically superior path that benefits both the king and the whole realm.
Bhīṣma, the elder statesman of the Kuru house, urges the Kuru leader to make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, warning implicitly that war will harm not only individuals but the stability and well-being of the entire earth/kingdom.