Shloka 108
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
यम्सित्रं भीतवत्साध्यं यन्मित्र॑ भयसंहितम् । सुरक्षितव्यं तत् कार्य पाणि: सर्पमुखादिव
yam mitraṁ bhītavat sādhyaṁ yan mitraṁ bhaya-saṁhitam | surakṣitavyaṁ tat kāryaṁ pāṇiḥ sarpa-mukhādiva ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang pagkakaibigang nabuo ng isang nilalang na takot, at ang pagkakaibigang nabuo habang ang sarili ay nananatiling may pangamba—ang ganitong mga pagkakaibigan ay dapat pangasiwaan nang may maingat na pag-iingat. Magtulungan sa mga gawain ng isa’t isa, ngunit laging ingatan ang sarili, gaya ng mang-aakit ng ahas na naglalaro habang iniiwas at pinangangalagaan ang kamay mula sa bibig ng ahas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Friendships formed under fear are unstable; therefore one should cooperate, but with vigilance and safeguards—maintaining one’s own security while engaging in mutual duties.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs on dharma and practical conduct. Here he advises how to deal with alliances or friendships arising from fear, illustrating the point with the image of handling a snake while keeping one’s hand protected.