Shloka 6
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
प्रक्षीयमाण तं दृष्टवा जलस्थायं भयागमे । अब्रवीद् दीर्घदर्शी तु तावुभौ सुहदौ तदा,जलाशयका पानी घटता देख भय आनेकी सम्भावना समझकर दूरतककी बातें सोचनेवाले उस मत्स्यने अपने उन दोनों सुहृदोंसे कहा--
prakṣīyamāṇaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā jalasthāyaṁ bhayāgame | abravīd dīrghadarśī tu tāv ubhau suhṛdau tadā ||
毗湿摩说道：“见那水塘之水不断减少，又预感危险将至，那条目光深远的鱼便对同住其间的两位朋友开口——及时告诫他们；凡能先虑者，临祸自当先言。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dīrghadarśitā—foresight and timely counsel. When signs of decline appear (the water diminishing), a wise person anticipates danger and advises friends early, rather than waiting for crisis.
As the pond’s water begins to shrink, a far-sighted fish realizes that danger is imminent (such as drying up or predators). He then speaks to his two companions in the pond, preparing to advise them on what to do next.