Shloka 9
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
अनित्यचित्त: पुरुषस्तस्मिन् को जातु विश्वसेत् | तस्मात्प्रधानं यत् कार्य प्रत्यक्ष तत् समाचरेत्
anityacittaḥ puruṣas tasmin ko jātu viśvaset | tasmāt pradhānaṃ yat kāryaṃ pratyakṣaṃ tat samācaret ||
Bhishma dit : «L’esprit de l’homme est inconstant ; qui pourrait jamais se fier à lui, à quelque moment que ce soit ? C’est pourquoi toute tâche vraiment primordiale et nécessaire doit être menée à son terme sous ses propres yeux».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Because human intentions and moods change, trust should be measured; crucial duties should be executed promptly and under one’s direct supervision rather than left to uncertain future intentions.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma offers pragmatic counsel on governance and conduct, warning about the unreliability of fluctuating minds and urging completion of essential tasks without delay.