Shloka 13
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
यं मन्येत ममाभावादिममर्थागमं स्पृशेत् । नित्यं तस्माच्छडुकितव्यममित्र तद् विदुर्बुधा:
yaṁ manyeta mamābhāvād imam arthāgamaṁ spṛśet | nityaṁ tasmāc chadukitavyam amitra tad vidur budhāḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「もし『私がいなくなれば、この者が王となり、富の流れをすべて己の手に収めるかもしれぬ』という思いが生じるなら、相手が誰であれ—兄弟であろうと隣人であろうと、あるいは子であろうと—常に警戒しておくべきである。賢者はそのような者を敵と見なすからだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches political and ethical vigilance: anyone who is believed to be waiting for your death to gain the throne and appropriate wealth should be treated as a potential enemy, regardless of familial or social closeness.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on recognizing hidden hostility in court and family life—specifically, the danger posed by those who anticipate succession and material gain from one’s demise.