Shloka 18
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
दीर्घकालमपीक्षेत निहन्यादेव शात्रवान् | कालाकाडुशभक्षी हि क्षपयेद् यथा विश्रम्भमाप्तुयु:,अनुकूल अवसर पानेके लिये कालक्षेप ही करता रहे। उसके लिये दीर्घ कालतक भी प्रतीक्षा करनी पड़े तो करे, जिससे शत्रुओंको भलीभाँति विश्वास हो जाय। तदनन्तर मौका पाकर उन्हें मार ही डाले
dīrghakālam apīkṣeta nिहanyād eva śātravān | kālākāḍuśabhakṣī hi kṣapayed yathā viśrambham āptuyuḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच—दीर्घकालमपि प्रतीक्षेत, केवलं कालमवेक्ष्य; अवसरप्राप्ते तु शात्रवान् निहन्यादेव। यः कालभक्षी (कालोपजीवी) सः शनैः शनैः तान् क्षपयति, ते विश्वासं यान्ति; तेषां विश्रम्भमाप्त्वा ततो विनाशयति।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches strategic patience in rājadharma: one may delay action to secure the right time, allowing opponents to become complacent and trusting, and then decisively neutralize them. It highlights kāla (timing) as a decisive factor in political and military success, even when it involves calculated deception.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship and governance, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on dealing with hostile forces. He recommends waiting and observing until conditions are favorable, fostering the enemy’s sense of security, and then striking when the opportunity is assured.