Shloka 56
Nīti-upadeśa to a Rājaputra: Self-restraint, Alliances, and Rival-Management (नीतिउपदेशः)
अप्यमित्राणि सेवस्व प्रणिपत्य कृताञज्जलि: । मुनिने कहा--राजन्! तुम दम्भ, काम, क्रोध, हर्ष और भयको त्यागकर हाथ जोड़ मस्तक झुकाकर शत्रुओंकी भी सेवा करो
apy amitrāṇi sevasva praṇipatya kṛtāñjaliḥ |
毗湿摩说道：“大王啊，即便是你的仇敌，也当以礼相待——以谦卑趋近，俯首下拜，合掌致敬。”此言所重，在于严明自制与有谋之谦：舍弃傲慢与冲动的欲、怒、狂喜与恐惧，方能守护法（dharma），并在与对手周旋时亦保全和平。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches disciplined humility: for the sake of dharma and stable rule, a king should restrain ego and passions and be willing, when appropriate, to show respectful conduct—even toward enemies—to prevent greater harm and secure peace.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on rājadharma (the duties of kings). Here he advises a posture of respectful submission—bowing with joined hands—toward adversaries when it serves righteous governance and the larger good.