Shloka 84
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
शंकितस्त्वमहं भीत: परच्छिद्रानुदर्शिन: । अस्निग्धाश्वैव दुस्तोषा: कर्म चैतद् बहुच्छलम्
śaṅkitas tv ahaṃ bhītaḥ paracchidra-anudarśinaḥ | asnigdhāś caiva duṣṭoṣāḥ karma caitad bahu-chalam ||
भीष्म उवाच— शङ्कितोऽहं भयभीतः, त्वं मां संशङ्किष्यसीति। अपि च तव परिचारकाः परच्छिद्रानुदर्शिनः; ते मयि न स्नेहवन्तः, तान् सन्तोषयितुं ममातिदुष्करम्। मन्त्रीकर्म चैतद् बहुच्छल-कपट-युक्तम्।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights the ethical danger in political life: suspicion, fault-finding courtiers, and the inherently tricky nature of ministerial work can distort judgment and relationships. Governance requires vigilance about motives and the corrosive effects of intrigue.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma speaks from experience, expressing fear of being mistrusted and pointing to the hostile, fault-seeking attendants around the ruler, while also remarking that ministerial duties often involve stratagems and deception.