Shloka 15
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
शत्रुं च मित्ररूपेण सान्त्वेनैवाभिसान्त्वयेत् । नित्यशश्रोद्विजेत् तस्माद् गृहात् सर्पयुतादिव
śatruṁ ca mitrarūpeṇa sāntvenāivābhisāntvayet | nityaśaśrodvijet tasmād gṛhāt sarpayutādiva ||
毗湿摩说道：纵使仇敌披着朋友的外衣而来，也当以安抚之辞、外示和解相待；然而对他须常怀戒惧——正如人对藏有毒蛇的屋舍，时时提防一般。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Practice diplomatic gentleness even toward an enemy who presents himself as a friend, but do not surrender vigilance; outward conciliation should be paired with inward caution, since hidden hostility can strike like a snake concealed in a home.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on conduct and statecraft, Bhīṣma teaches Yudhiṣṭhira how to deal with potentially dangerous people: respond with calming, non-provocative speech, yet remain alert to deception and latent threat.