Shloka 12
मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship
यस्तु सिंह: श्वभि: कीर्ण: सिंहकर्मफले रत: । नस सिंहफल भोक्तुं शक्त: श्वभिरुपासित:,किंतु जो सिंह कुत्तोंसे घिरा रहकर सिंहोचित कर्म एवं फलमें अनुरक्त रहता है, वह कुत्तोंसे उपासित होनेके कारण सिंहोचित कर्मफलका उपभोग नहीं कर सकता
yastu siṁhaḥ śvabhiḥ kīrṇaḥ siṁha-karma-phale rataḥ | na sa siṁha-phalaṁ bhoktuṁ śaktāḥ śvabhir upāsitaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Even if a lion, surrounded by dogs, remains devoted to lion-like deeds and their proper rewards, he cannot truly enjoy the lion’s share—because, being attended and hemmed in by dogs, his rightful fruit is obstructed and diminished. The teaching is that noble effort and intention are not enough if one’s company and support-system are base or hostile; association can prevent the fitting fruition of one’s dharma.
भीष्म उवाच