Shloka 26
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 104 — कर्णोत्पत्ति, दानधर्म, वैकर्तन-नामकरण
Karna’s Birth, Gift-Ethic, and the Name Vaikartana
श्र॒त्वा तं प्रतिपद्यस्व प्राज्जै: सह पुरोहितै: । आपद्धर्मार्थकुशलैलोकतलन्त्रमवेक्ष्य च,उसे आपद्धर्मके निर्णयमें कुशल विद्वान् पुरोहितोंसे सुनकर और लोकतन््त्रकी ओर भी देखकर निश्चय करो
śrutvā taṃ pratipadyasva prājñaiḥ saha purohitaiḥ | āpaddharmārthakuśalair lokatantram avekṣya ca ||
既闻此策，当据之决断而行——先与明智之祭司、善于裁定危难之时义务（阿帕达达摩，āpaddharma）者共议，并兼顾世道常情与邦国之秩序。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In moments of danger or uncertainty, one should decide after hearing competent, dharma-informed counsel (especially regarding āpaddharma) while also considering lokatantra—how society and governance practically function—so that the choice is both ethically defensible and workable.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports an instruction to the listener/decision-maker: do not act impulsively; first hear the matter, consult wise purohitas skilled in emergency-duty and practical affairs, and then decide with awareness of worldly and political realities.