Shloka 8
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
असाधु: साधुतामेति साधुर्भवति दारुण: । अरिश्व मित्र भवति मित्र चापि प्रदुष्पति
asādhuḥ sādhutām eti sādhur bhavati dāruṇaḥ | ariś ca mitraṃ bhavati mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati ||
ビーシュマは言った。悪しき者が善に至ることもあれば、善き者が残忍へと転ずることもある。敵が友となることもあり、友がまた堕して背くこともある。人の心は常に同じではないのだから、いかなる時にも誰かを完全に信じ切ることなど、どうしてできようか。ゆえに、肝要の務めは自らの眼前で直ちに成し遂げよ—人の意図の不確かな変転に委ねてはならぬ。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
People’s dispositions can change—bad may become good, good may become cruel; enemies may become friends and friends may deteriorate. Because the mind is unstable, one should be cautious in trust and ensure crucial duties are completed directly and promptly rather than relying on others’ unchanging loyalty.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and polity, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira with practical ethical counsel: do not assume permanence in relationships or character; act with vigilance and complete essential responsibilities without delay.