Shloka 9
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
विग्रहं केन वा कुर्यात् संधिं वा केन योजयेत् । कथं वा शत्रुमध्यस्थो वर्तेत बलवानपि
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | vigrahaṃ kena vā kuryāt sandhiṃ vā kena yojayet | kathaṃ vā śatru-madhyastho varteta balavān api |
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kanino nararapat piliing makipag-alitan, at kanino nararapat makipagkasundo at magpatibay ng kasunduan? At kahit makapangyarihan ang isang tao, kung siya’y mailagay sa gitna ng mga kaaway, paano siya dapat kumilos doon?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic problem of rāja-nīti: conflict and alliance must be chosen with discernment, and even strength is not sufficient—one must know the proper conduct when surrounded by enemies, balancing prudence, restraint, and strategic judgment.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and ethics after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira asks for guidance on when to make war or peace and how a ruler (or capable person) should act if caught among hostile forces.