Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
पूजितोऊहं त्वया पूर्व पश्चाच्चैव विमानितः । परेषामास्पदं नीतो वस्तुं नाहम्यहं त्वयि,“महाराज! पहले तो आपने मुझे सम्मान दिया और पीछे अपमानित कर दिया, शत्रुओंकी-सी अवस्थामें डाल दिया; अत: अब मैं आपके पास रहनेके योग्य नहीं हूँ
pūjito’haṃ tvayā pūrvaṃ paścāccaiva vimānitaḥ | pareṣām āspadaṃ nīto vastuṃ nāham ahaṃ tvayi ||
Disse Bhīṣma: “Ó rei! Outrora me honraste, mas depois me humilhaste e me reduziste a uma condição própria de inimigos. Por isso já não sou digno de permanecer contigo, ó rei.”
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler’s dharma includes consistent respect toward elders and dependents; honoring someone and then humiliating them violates ethical kingship and breaks the bond of loyalty, making continued association improper.
Bhishma addresses a king, stating that he was first treated with honor but later insulted and pushed into an adversarial, enemy-like position; on that basis he declares he cannot remain with the king any longer.