Shloka 108
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
यम्सित्रं भीतवत्साध्यं यन्मित्र॑ भयसंहितम् । सुरक्षितव्यं तत् कार्य पाणि: सर्पमुखादिव
yam mitraṁ bhītavat sādhyaṁ yan mitraṁ bhaya-saṁhitam | surakṣitavyaṁ tat kāryaṁ pāṇiḥ sarpa-mukhādiva ||
毗湿摩说道：“由受惊之生灵结成的友谊，以及在自身仍怀恐惧时结成的友谊——这两类友谊都必须以谨慎的防护来维系。应当在彼此事务上相互协作，却也要时时自保，正如弄蛇人戏蛇时，总护住自己的手，不使其落入蛇口。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Friendships formed under fear are unstable; therefore one should cooperate, but with vigilance and safeguards—maintaining one’s own security while engaging in mutual duties.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs on dharma and practical conduct. Here he advises how to deal with alliances or friendships arising from fear, illustrating the point with the image of handling a snake while keeping one’s hand protected.