Shloka 59
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
वर्धमानमृणं तिछेत् परिभूताश्च शत्रव: । जनयन्ति भयं तीव्र व्याधयश्चाप्युपेक्षिता:,“यदि बढ़ता हुआ ऋण रह जाय, तिरस्कृत शत्रु जीवित रहें और उपेक्षित रोग शेष रह जायाँ तो ये सब तीव्र भय उत्पन्न करते हैं
vardhamānam ṛṇaṁ tiṣṭhet paribhūtāś ca śatravaḥ | janayanti bhayaṁ tīvraṁ vyādhayaś cāpy upekṣitāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：若任由日益增长的债务存留，若让受辱的仇敌苟活，若将疾病轻忽而不治——此三者皆会生出强烈的恐惧。其教诲在于：当及早处置这些危险，莫待其膨胀为威胁，动摇自身的安稳与法（dharma）。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not postpone dealing with problems that naturally worsen over time—debt, hostile resentment, and illness. Timely resolution is a dharmic form of prudence, preventing small issues from becoming existential threats.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and practical governance. Here he offers a concise warning: certain matters—financial liabilities, embittered foes, and untreated disease—must be addressed promptly because they breed grave fear and instability.