Shloka 22
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
उत्थायोत्थाय गच्छेत नित्ययुक्तो रिपोर्गहान् । कुशल चास्य पृच्छेत यद्यप्यकुशलं भवेत्
utthāyotthāya gacchet nityayukto ripor gṛhān | kuśalaṃ cāsya pṛcchet yady apy akuśalaṃ bhavet ||
Disse Bhīṣma: “O rei deve, dia após dia, levantar-se e ir—sempre vigilante—até a própria casa do inimigo. Ainda que esse inimigo esteja em má fortuna, deve mesmo assim indagar por seu bem-estar e oferecer palavras de boa vontade.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should combine constant vigilance with disciplined courtesy: even toward an enemy, he should maintain outward goodwill and inquire after welfare, reflecting self-control and strategic, dharmic conduct.
In Bhishma’s instruction on rāja-dharma in the Śānti Parva, he advises the king on how to behave toward adversaries—personally visiting (or keeping close watch on) the enemy’s situation while speaking in the language of goodwill.