Shloka 15
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
गृह्मेव तदुद्यानं गृहीत्वा तं तथैव सः । सवनिव च तांस्तत्र ते विदुर्गथितानिति
gṛhītvā tadudyānaṃ gṛhītvā taṃ tathaiva saḥ | sa-vanīva ca tāṃs tatra te vidur gathitān iti ||
毗湿摩说：“他抓住那计策，如同抓住套索一般，握持得恰到好处，使自己看起来与众鱼无异；又把那绳股含在口中，便显得也像其余的鱼一样被缚。因此渔夫们以为它们全都已被捆住。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward appearance can mislead observers, and how presence of mind can create a protective disguise. Ethically, it cautions against judging solely by what seems evident and illustrates strategic conduct in peril.
A figure (described by Bhīṣma) takes hold of a binding cord/device and holds it in his mouth so that he appears to be tied like the other fish. The fishermen, seeing the same outward sign of being bound, assume all are equally secured.