Shloka 142
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
मित्र च शत्रुतामेति कम्मिंश्चित् कालपर्यये । शन्रुश्न मित्रतामेति स्वार्थों हि बलवत्तर:,“कभी-कभी समयके फेरसे मित्र शत्रु बन जाता है और शत्रु भी मित्र बन जाता है; क्योंकि स्वार्थ बड़ा बलवान् होता है
mitraṃ ca śatrutām eti kasmiṃścit kālaparyaye | śatruś ca mitratām eti svārtho hi balavattaraḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “In some turn of time, a friend may become an enemy, and an enemy may become a friend. For self-interest is indeed the stronger force.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Relationships in politics and society can reverse with changing circumstances; self-interest often overrides prior friendship or hostility, so one should judge alliances with awareness of motive and time.
In the Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and practical conduct; here he highlights how shifting time and advantage can transform friends into enemies and enemies into friends.