Shloka 8
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
असाधु: साधुतामेति साधुर्भवति दारुण: । अरिश्व मित्र भवति मित्र चापि प्रदुष्पति
asādhuḥ sādhutām eti sādhur bhavati dāruṇaḥ | ariś ca mitraṃ bhavati mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati ||
Bhishma dit : Un homme mauvais peut venir à la bonté, et un homme bon peut devenir cruel. L’ennemi peut se faire ami, et même l’ami peut se corrompre. Puisque l’esprit humain ne demeure pas toujours le même, comment accorder une confiance entière à quiconque en tout instant ? Aussi, toute affaire capitale doit être menée à bien sous ses propres yeux, sans l’abandonner aux changements incertains des intentions humaines.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
People’s dispositions can change—bad may become good, good may become cruel; enemies may become friends and friends may deteriorate. Because the mind is unstable, one should be cautious in trust and ensure crucial duties are completed directly and promptly rather than relying on others’ unchanging loyalty.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira with practical ethical counsel: do not assume permanence in relationships or character; act with vigilance and complete essential responsibilities without delay.