Shloka 18
Akṣara–Kṣara Viveka: Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda (अक्षर-क्षर विवेकः)
संचिन्त्य मनसा राजन् विदित्वा शक््यमात्मन: । करोति य: शुभं कर्म स वै भद्राणि पश्यति,राजन! जो मनुष्य मनसे खूब सोच-विचारकर, “अमुक काम मुझसे हो सकेगा या नहीं'--इसका निश्चय करके शुभकर्मका अनुष्ठान करता है, वह अवश्य ही अपनी भलाई देखता है
sañcintya manasā rājan viditvā śakyam ātmanaḥ | karoti yaḥ śubhaṃ karma sa vai bhadrāṇi paśyati ||
संचिन्त्य मनसा राजन् विदित्वा शक्यमात्मनः । करोति यः शुभं कर्म स वै भद्राणि पश्यति ॥
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should deliberate carefully, assess one’s true capacity, and then perform wholesome action; such prudent, ethical action leads to welfare and good outcomes.
In a didactic exchange within the Śānti Parva, the sage Parāśara addresses a king and offers counsel on disciplined decision-making: reflection and realistic self-knowledge should precede the undertaking of virtuous deeds.