Shloka 10
व्यसने क्लिश्यमानं हि यो मित्र नाभिपद्यते | अनुनीय यथाशक्ति तै नृशंसं विदुर्बुधा:,जो किसी व्यसन या विपत्तिमें पड़कर क्लेश उठाते हुए मित्रको यथाशक्ति समझा- बुझाकर उसका उद्धार नहीं करता है, उसे विद्वान् पुरुष निर्दय एवं क्रूर मानते हैं
vyasane kliśyamānaṃ hi yo mitra nābhipadyate | anunīya yathāśakti taṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ vidur budhāḥ ||
A friend who, seeing his companion afflicted and suffering in calamity, does not go to him and, to the best of his ability, console and guide him toward relief—such a person the wise regard as cruel and hard-hearted.
(वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True friendship is measured in adversity: one must actively approach, console, and help a suffering friend as much as one is able; failing to do so is judged by the wise as cruelty.
Vaiśaṃpāyana states a general moral principle within the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-heavy context: in times of crisis, ethical conduct includes standing by allies and friends, not abandoning them when they are afflicted.