Shloka 8
Adhyāya 115: On Restraint Under Verbal Provocation in the Assembly (सभायां आक्रोश-सहिष्णुता)
प्राकृतो हि प्रशंसन् वा निन्दन् वा कि करिष्यति । वने काक इवाबुद्धिर्वाशमानो निरर्थकम्
prākṛto hi praśaṁsan vā nindan vā kiṁ kariṣyati | vane kāka ivābuddhir vāśamāno nirarthakam ||
Disse Bhishma: “Que pode realmente realizar um homem inculto e tolo com elogios ou censuras? Como um corvo na floresta que grasna em vão, o insensato faz barulho sem propósito. Louve ou condene, não consegue trazer verdadeiro bem ou mal a ninguém.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not be disturbed by the praise or blame of the foolish and unrefined; such speech is often empty noise and has little real power to benefit or harm. One should value discerning judgment over meaningless public opinion.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma advises the listener that the words of a fool—whether flattering or condemning—are like a crow’s purposeless cawing in a forest and should not be taken as decisive or consequential.