Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
शोकदैन्यसमाविष्टा रुदन्तस्तस्थिरे तदा । स्वकार्यकुशलाभ्यां ते सम्भ्राम्यन्ते ह नैपुणात्
śoka-dainya-samāviṣṭā rudantas tasthire tadā | sva-kārya-kuśalābhyāṃ te sambhrāmyante ha naipuṇāt ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—शोक आणि दैन्याने ग्रासलेले ते लोक त्या वेळी रडत रडत तिथेच थांबून गेले. आपापला हेतू साधण्यात कुशल असलेल्या त्या दोघांच्या चातुर्यामुळे ते संभ्रमात पडले.
भीष्म उवाच
Grief and dejection can paralyze even capable people; emotional overwhelm makes one vulnerable to being misled by others’ cleverness. Ethical steadiness and clarity of mind are implied prerequisites for right action (dharma).
A group, overcome by sorrow, stands weeping and immobilized. Despite their practical competence, they are driven into confusion by another party’s superior craftiness, indicating how psychological distress can be exploited.