Shloka 16
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
“शत्रुको उसका मित्र बनकर मीठे वचनोंसे ही सान्त्वना देता रहे; परंतु जैसे सर्पयुक्त गृहसे मनुष्य डरता है, उसी प्रकार उस शत्रुसे भी सदा उद्विग्न रहे ।।
yasya buddhiḥ paribhavet tam atītena sāntvayet | anāgatena duṣprajñaṃ pratyutpannena paṇḍitam ||
毗湿摩说：凡心神为忧苦所压、陷于困厄者，当以追忆往昔来慰藉——令其聆听前代的事例与史传，以复其勇气。见识浅薄之人，当以未来之利与希望加以安定。至于智者，则应以合时而切实之举立刻抚平——如当即赐予财物与资用之助。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Consolation should be tailored to the person’s mental condition: the grief-stricken are strengthened by past exemplars, the foolish by hope of future benefit, and the wise by immediate, practical relief.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on governance and ethical conduct; here he explains how a ruler or counselor should calm different kinds of distressed people using past narratives, future assurances, or prompt material support.