Shloka 20
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
व्यसनान्नित्यभीतो यः समृद्धया यो न दुष्यति । यत् स्यादेवंविध॑ मित्र तदात्मसममुच्यते
vyasanān nityabhīto yaḥ samṛddhyā yo na duṣyati | yat syād evaṃvidhaṃ mitra tad ātmasamam ucyate ||
ビーシュマは言った。「汝に降りかかり得る災厄を常に案じて恐れ、汝が栄えるのを見ても嫉みの穢れに染まらぬ友——そのような友は、自らの身に等しいと宣せられる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true friend is defined by two tests: sincere concern for your potential suffering and freedom from jealousy at your success. Such steadiness of goodwill makes the friend ‘like one’s own self’ (ātmasama).
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and right conduct. Here he characterizes the marks of an ideal friend, emphasizing loyalty in adversity and purity of heart in times of prosperity.