आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
अमात्यो मे भव प्राज्ञ पितेवेह प्रशाधि माम् । न ते5स्ति भयमस्मत्तो जीवितेनात्मन: शपे
amātyo me bhava prājña piteveha praśādhi mām | na te 'sti bhayam asmatto jīvitena ātmanaḥ śape ||
اے دانا! تم میرے وزیر بنو اور باپ کی طرح یہاں مجھے فرض و واجب کا راستہ بتا کر میری رہنمائی کرو۔ میں اپنی جان کی قسم کھا کر کہتا ہوں—میری طرف سے (ہماری طرف سے) تمہیں کوئی خوف نہیں۔
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler (or elder) should actively seek wise counsel, accept correction as from a father, and create safety for truthful speech—assuring the advisor that there is no fear in speaking dharma.
Bhishma addresses a wise person, inviting him to become his minister and to instruct him on proper duty; to encourage frank guidance, Bhishma swears on his own life that the advisor will face no danger from Bhishma’s side.