Shloka 6
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अकुलीनस्तु पुरुष: प्राकृत: साधुसंश्रयात् । दुर्लभैश्वर्यतां प्राप्तो निन्दित: शत्रुतां ब्रजेत्
akulīnas tu puruṣaḥ prākṛtaḥ sādhusaṁśrayāt | durlabhaiśvaryatāṁ prāpto ninditaḥ śatrutāṁ vrajet ||
ビーシュマは言った。卑賤の出で凡庸な者であっても、徳ある者に寄り添えば稀なる繁栄を得ることがある。だが、ひとたび咎められれば、たちまち怨みを抱いて敵となる—その性が、身の丈以上に引き上げられたとき、いかに不安定で憤りやすいかを示すのである。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
External elevation—wealth, power, royal favor—does not necessarily refine inner character. A person of base disposition may gain prosperity through the support of the virtuous, but a single reproach can provoke hostility; therefore rulers and householders should judge steadiness of character, not merely present success.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct and governance, Bhishma warns about the risks of raising and trusting unrefined or low-character individuals: even when benefited by good association and granted prosperity, they may quickly turn into enemies when criticized.