Shloka 5
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
प्रसन्नमप्रसन्नं वा पीडितं हतमेव वा । आवर्तयति भूयिष्ठं तदेव हुनुपालितम्,जो कुलीन हो, जिसका सदा सम्मान किया जाय, जो अपनी शक्तिको छिपावे नहीं तथा राजा प्रसन्न हो या अप्रसन्न हो, पीड़ित हो अथवा हताहत हो, प्रत्येक अवस्थामें जो बारंबार उसका अनुसरण करता हो, वही सुहृद् होने योग्य है
prasannam aprasannaṃ vā pīḍitaṃ hatam eva vā | āvartayati bhūyiṣṭhaṃ tad eva hūnupālitam ||
Bhishma dijo: «Ya esté el rey complacido o descontento, afligido o incluso abatido, aquel que una y otra vez permanece a su lado y sostiene su causa en toda circunstancia, firme y sin vacilar, es verdaderamente digno de ser llamado bienqueriente (suhṛd)».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true well-wisher is recognized by steadfast loyalty: remaining supportive not only in prosperity and royal favor, but also in displeasure, distress, and even defeat.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma and conduct, Bhishma defines the mark of a genuine ally of a king—one who continues to follow and stand by him through all changing circumstances.