Shloka 67
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
तस्मात् प्रत्यक्षदृष्टो 5पि युक्तो हार्थ: परीक्षितुम् । परीक्ष्य ज्ञापयन्नर्थान्न पश्चात् परितप्यते,“इसलिये प्रत्यक्ष दिखायी देनवाली वस्तुकी भी परीक्षा करनी उचित है। जो परीक्षा लेकर भले-बुरेकी जाँच करके किसी कार्यके लिये आज्ञा देता है, उसे पीछे पछताना नहीं पड़ता
tasmāt pratyakṣadṛṣṭo 'pi yukto hārthaḥ parīkṣitum | parīkṣya jñāpayann arthān na paścāt paritapyate ||
तस्मात् प्रत्यक्षदृष्टोऽपि युक्त्या ह्यर्थः परीक्षितुम्। परीक्ष्य ज्ञापयन्नर्थान्न पश्चात् परितप्यते॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not act merely on appearances, even if something seems directly evident. Proper conduct requires examination and verification; decisions made after careful scrutiny prevent later remorse.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and governance, Bhīṣma teaches the listener that a leader should investigate matters thoroughly and only then give orders, because such deliberation safeguards against future regret.