Shloka 18
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
तं शक््त्या वर्धमानश्न सर्वतः परिबृंहयेत् । नित्यं क्षताद् वारयति यो धर्मेष्वपि कर्मसु
taṁ śaktyā vardhamānaś ca sarvataḥ paribṛṁhayet | nityaṁ kṣatād vārayati yo dharmeṣv api karmasu ||
ビーシュマは言った。「己の力と繁栄が増すにつれ、できる限りその人（王）を強め、四方にわたり安寧を増進させよ。真の友とは、たとえダルマの業に携わっていても、常に王を損失から守ろうと努め、王に害が及ぶ兆しに胸を痛めて不安を覚える者である。王の損失と滅亡を望む者どもは、王の敵と見なされねばならぬ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true friend is defined by active, continual concern for the ruler’s welfare: using one’s growing capacity to strengthen him, and preventing his loss even while pursuing dharmic duties; those wishing the ruler’s ruin are enemies.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how to recognize genuine allies: friends protect and promote the king’s prosperity, whereas those who seek his harm are to be treated as foes.