Shloka 94
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
ततो मध्यस्थतां नीता वचनैरमृतोपमै: । जम्बुकेन स्वकार्यार्थ बान्धवास्तस्य घिछिता:
tato madhyasthatāṁ nītā vacanair amṛtopamaiḥ | jambukena svakāryārthaṁ bāndhavās tasya gṛhītāḥ ||
मग जम्बूकाने आपल्या स्वार्थासाठी अमृतासारख्या मधुर वचनांनी त्या बालकाच्या बंधुजनांना मधल्या—द्विधेच्या—स्थितीत नेऊन ठेवले. ते ना पुढे जाऊ शकले, ना मनासारखे थांबू शकले; शेवटी त्यांना तिथेच राहावे लागले.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sweet-sounding speech can be used to conceal adharma: persuasive words that appear ‘nectar-like’ may still serve selfish ends by delaying rightful action and trapping others in indecision.
A jackal, acting for his own benefit, restrains the boy’s relatives through convincing, pleasant-sounding talk, pushing them into a paralyzing ‘middle position’ where they can neither proceed nor withdraw, until they are compelled to stay.