Shloka 17
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
यस्त्वमित्रेण संदध्यान्मित्रेण च विरुद्धयते । अर्थयुक्ति समालोक्य सुमहद् विन्दते फलम्
yas tv amitreṇa sandadhyān mitreṇa ca virudhyate | arthayuktiṃ samālokya sumahad vindate phalam ||
Disse Bhishma: Aquele que, discernindo a estratégia da vantagem, faz pacto até com um inimigo quando isso serve ao seu propósito, e está disposto a opor-se até a amigos quando eles se interpõem no caminho, alcança um resultado muito grande.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches pragmatic discernment in policy: one should evaluate relationships by artha-yukti (strategic reasoning about benefit and purpose). If circumstances demand, peace with an enemy and resistance to a friend may be justified to secure a larger objective and yield great results.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on rajadharma. Here he states a principle of alliance-management: do not treat 'friend' and 'enemy' as permanent categories; act after weighing the situation and the intended outcome.