Shloka 94
Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
ततो मध्यस्थतां नीता वचनैरमृतोपमै: । जम्बुकेन स्वकार्यार्थ बान्धवास्तस्य घिछिता:
tato madhyasthatāṁ nītā vacanair amṛtopamaiḥ | jambukena svakāryārthaṁ bāndhavās tasya gṛhītāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Pagkaraan, sa mga salitang tila nektar ang tamis, inakay ni Jambuka sila sa paninindigang walang pasya at pag-aatubili, at pinigil ang mga kamag-anak ng bata para sa sariling pakinabang. Hindi sila makausad, ni makapanatili ayon sa nais; sa huli, napilitan silang manatili roon.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sweet-sounding speech can be used to conceal adharma: persuasive words that appear ‘nectar-like’ may still serve selfish ends by delaying rightful action and trapping others in indecision.
A jackal, acting for his own benefit, restrains the boy’s relatives through convincing, pleasant-sounding talk, pushing them into a paralyzing ‘middle position’ where they can neither proceed nor withdraw, until they are compelled to stay.