Shloka 17
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
यतो हि निम्नं भवति नयन्ति हि ततो जलम् । यतश्कछिद्रं ततश्चापि नयन्ते धीवरा जलम्
yato hi nimnaṃ bhavati nayanti hi tato jalam | yataś chidraṃ tataś cāpi nayante dhīvarā jalam ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「水は常に低き方へ導かれる。穴や窪みのある所へも、漁夫は水を引き入れる。同じく汝らも、成し得る手段に従い、事の成り行きが自然に許す道を選んで進むがよい。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches pragmatic discernment: like water naturally moving toward lower ground and being guided through openings, wise action should follow the available channels and practical means without forcing what circumstances do not support.
Yudhiṣṭhira is offering counsel through a natural metaphor, urging others to choose a workable course of action—one aligned with existing conditions and opportunities—rather than insisting on an impractical approach.