Shloka 99
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ततो भवत्यफक्रान्ते त्रस्ते भीते च लोमश । अहं बिल प्रवेक्ष्यामि भवान् शाखां भजिष्यति
tato bhavaty apakrānte traste bhīte ca lomaśa | ahaṁ bila-pravekṣyāmi bhavān śākhāṁ bhajiṣyati ||
मग, हे लोमश! तू भय व त्रासाने ग्रासला जाऊन पळून गेलास, तेव्हा मी बिळात शिरेन आणि तू वृक्षाच्या फांदीचा आश्रय घे.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical discernment in danger: when fear overwhelms and flight occurs, one should still choose the safest available refuge. It implicitly contrasts panic with a planned response—each person taking the most viable shelter.
Bhīṣma addresses Lomaśa and describes a contingency plan for a moment of threat: if Lomaśa becomes frightened and runs, Bhīṣma will slip into a burrow while Lomaśa will climb onto a tree branch for safety.