Shloka 22
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
उत्थायोत्थाय गच्छेत नित्ययुक्तो रिपोर्गहान् । कुशल चास्य पृच्छेत यद्यप्यकुशलं भवेत्,“राजाको चाहिये कि वह प्रतिदिन उठ-उठकर पूर्ण सावधान हो शत्रुके घर जाय और उसका अमंगल ही क्यों न हो रहा हो, सदा उसकी कुशल पूछे और मंगल कामना करे
utthāyotthāya gacchet nityayukto ripor gṛhān | kuśalaṃ cāsya pṛcchet yady apy akuśalaṃ bhavet ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王は日ごとに起ち、常に警戒を怠らず、敵の家にまで赴くべきである。たとえ敵が不運に沈んでいようとも、その安否を問い、善意の言葉を贈るがよい。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should combine constant vigilance with disciplined courtesy: even toward an enemy, he should maintain outward goodwill and inquire after welfare, reflecting self-control and strategic, dharmic conduct.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, he advises the king on how to behave toward adversaries—personally visiting (or keeping close watch on) the enemy’s situation while speaking in the language of goodwill.