Shloka 87
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च सुवृत्तौ चाप्युपासितौ | अशक्तौ तु नयात् तस्मात् सम्प्रधर्षयेतुं बलातू
balinau matimantau ca suvṛttau cāpyupāsitau | aśaktau tu nayāt tasmāt sampradharṣayetuṃ balāt ||
Sinabi ni Bhīṣma: “Bagaman sila’y malalakas at matatalino, may mabuting asal at may mga tagasunod, dahil sa naya (patakaran at estratehiya) sila’y naging walang magawa; kaya’t hindi sila masasalakay sa dahas ng lakas lamang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mere strength is not decisive; wise policy (naya)—such as alliances, diplomacy, and strategic restraint—can prevent a stronger party from successfully attacking, and can protect the vulnerable.
Bhīṣma is explaining a principle of nīti: even those who are strong, intelligent, and well-supported may become unable to act by force when confronted with effective strategy and political prudence.