Shloka 9
कपोत-लुब्धकसंवादः — Hunter’s Remorse and Renunciatory Resolve
पार्श्वत: करणं प्राज्ञो विष्टम्भित्वा प्रकारयेत् । जनस्तच्चरितं धर्म विजानात्यन्यथान्यथा
pārśvataḥ karaṇaṃ prājño viṣṭambhitvā prakārayet | janas tac-caritaṃ dharmaṃ vijānāty anyathānyathā ||
毗湿摩说道：智者行事，当先以隐密之法起步，从旁扶持护持，使其稳固，然后方可公开宣示。否则，世人便会以种种方式——且多半误解——去解读他行为中所体现的法（dharma）。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Act with discretion: first secure and stabilize your undertaking privately, then disclose it. Premature publicity invites misinterpretation of your intentions and the dharma reflected in your actions.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction to Yudhishthira, Bhishma continues giving practical guidance on righteous conduct and governance, warning that public opinion can distort the meaning of one’s dharmic actions if they are announced before being firmly established.