Shloka 11
मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship
सिंहस्य सतत पाश्वे सिंह एवानुगो भवेत् | असिंह: सिंहसहित: सिंहवललभते फलम्,सिंहके पास सदा सिंह ही सेवक रहे। यदि सिंहके साथ सिंहसे भिन्न प्राणी रहने लगता है तो वह सिंहके तुल्य ही फल भोगने लगता है
siṁhasya satataṁ pārśve siṁha evānugo bhavet | asiṁhaḥ siṁha-sahitaḥ siṁha-vad labhate phalam ||
Bhishma said: “By a lion’s side, the attendant should be a lion alone. But if one who is not a lion remains in the company of a lion, he too comes to enjoy results as though he were a lion.” In ethical context, the verse underscores the power of association: proximity to the noble and capable can elevate one’s standing and outcomes, while roles and rewards often follow the stature of the company one keeps.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Association shapes outcomes: staying close to the truly strong and virtuous can confer status and benefits similar to theirs, even upon one who lacks those qualities, while proper roles ideally match true capability.
In Bhishma’s instruction during the Shanti Parva, he uses a lion-and-attendant analogy to explain a moral principle about companionship and the way rewards and recognition often follow the company one keeps.