Shloka 23
Draupadī’s Lament and the Question of Kṣatriya Forbearance (द्रौपद्याः शोकप्रलापः क्षमानिर्णयश्च)
तस्मान्नात्युत्सूजेत् तेजो न च नित्यं मृदुर्भवेत् काले काले तु सम्प्राप्ते मृदुस्तीक्ष्णोडपि वा भवेत्,इसलिये न तो सदा उत्तेजनाका ही प्रयोग करे और न सर्वदा कोमल ही बना रहे। समय-समयपर आवश्यकताके अनुसार कभी कोमल और कभी तेज स्वभाववाला बन जाय
tasmān nātyutsṛjet tejo na ca nityaṁ mṛdur bhavet | kāle kāle tu samprāpte mṛdus tīkṣṇo 'pi vā bhavet ||
Kaya’t hindi dapat laging pinakakawalan ang bangis at naglalagablab na lakas, at hindi rin dapat laging banayad. Kapag dumating ang tamang panahon, maging mahinahon; at kung kailangan, maging matalas at mahigpit—iayon ang asal sa kalagayan upang mapanatili ang dharma at maging mabisa ang pagkilos.
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Maintain balance in behavior: do not be perpetually harsh or perpetually soft; instead, apply gentleness or sternness according to time and necessity, guided by dharma and practical judgment.
Prahmāda delivers counsel on proper conduct, advising situational appropriateness—sometimes restraint and kindness, sometimes firmness and severity—so that one’s actions remain effective and righteous.