Shloka 13
कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
नर: पापसमाचारस्त्यक्तव्यो दूरतो बुध: । आत्मानं यो5भिसंधत्ते सोअन्यस्य स्यात् कथं हितः,वास्तवमें जो पापाचारी हो, उसे विज्ञ पुरुषोंको दूरसे ही त्याग देना चाहिये। जो अपने आपको धोखा देता है, वह दूसरेका हितैषी कैसे हो सकता है?
naraḥ pāpasamācāras tyaktavyo dūrato budhaḥ | ātmānaṃ yo ’bhisandhatte so ’nyasya syāt kathaṃ hitaḥ ||
Bhishma said: A man whose conduct is sinful should be abandoned from afar by the wise. For one who deceives his own self—how could such a person ever truly be a well-wisher of another?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wise people should keep distance from habitual wrongdoers, because someone who is false to his own conscience and self-understanding cannot reliably act for the welfare of others.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhishma advises the listener on discerning associations: avoid those of sinful behavior, since inner self-betrayal undermines any claim to being another’s true well-wisher.