Shloka 8
Kośa-saṃjanana and Subtle Dharma
Treasury Formation and Fine-Grained Ethics
ऋद्धिमस्यानु तप्यन्ते पुरा विप्रकृता नरा: । शालावृका इवाजसंं जिघांसुमेव विन्दति
ṛddhim asyānu tapyante purā viprakṛtā narāḥ | śālāvṛkā ivājaśaṁ jighāṁsum eva vindati ||
Бхишма сказал: Люди, которых прежде презирали и обижали, сгорают от зависти, видя, как благополучие этого царя неуклонно возрастает. И всё же, с коварным умыслом, они ищут покровительства того же царя и служат ему — подобно псам, что остаются при убийце-изгое, хотя он и намерен их погубить.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that envy can coexist with outward service: people who resent a ruler’s rising fortune may still cling to him for advantage, masking hostility with feigned loyalty. A king should discern motives and not mistake proximity or service for genuine goodwill.
In Bhishma’s instruction on governance and conduct, he describes a pattern at court: those previously humiliated become jealous of the king’s growing prosperity, yet they still approach and serve him deceitfully—likened to dogs staying with a killer—highlighting the danger of treacherous dependents.