Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 14
एतैश्वान्यैश्व बहुभिग्ुणैर्युक्तान् कर्थं कपान् | विजेष्यथ निवर्तथ्व॑ निवृत्तानां सुखं हि व:
etaiś cānyaiś ca bahubhir guṇair yuktān kathaṃ kapān | vijeṣyatha nivartadhvaṃ nivṛttānāṃ sukhaṃ hi vaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Paano ninyo maaasahang madaig ang mga Kapas, na pinagkalooban ng mga ganitong kabutihang-asal at marami pang iba? Umatras kayo sa di-kanais-nais na gawaing ito; sapagkat sa pagpipigil at pag-urong matatagpuan ang tunay ninyong kapakanan at ginhawa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that ethical discernment includes knowing when not to fight: withdrawing from an improper or needless conflict is itself a source of welfare, and true happiness comes from restraint rather than stubborn pursuit of victory.
Bhishma addresses his listeners and discourages them from attempting to defeat the Kapas, describing them as richly endowed with virtues and urging the audience to abandon the undesirable enterprise and choose withdrawal for their own good.