Mahabharata — Shanti Parva, Shloka 160
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अभ्राणामिव रूपाणि विकुर्वन्ति क्षणे क्षणे । अद्यैव हि रिपुर्भूत्वा पुनरद्यैव मे सुहत्
abhrāṇām iva rūpāṇi vikurvanti kṣaṇe kṣaṇe | adyaiva hi ripur bhūtvā punar adyaiva me su-hṛt ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Gaya ng anyo ng mga ulap na nag-iiba sa bawat sandali, gayon din ang ugali ng tao na nagbabago sa bawat kisap. Ang kaaway ngayon ay maaari ring, sa araw ding ito, maging muling nagmamalasakit sa akin.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Relationships and intentions are unstable and can change rapidly; therefore one should act with discernment, avoid rigid enmity, and remain open to reconciliation while maintaining ethical prudence.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction during the Śānti Parva, he uses the metaphor of clouds to explain to his listener that human alliances and hostilities are fickle—an enemy may quickly turn into a well-wisher, even within the same day.