Shloka 61
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
उत्पाद्यन्ते त्रयः पक्षा मित्रोदासीनशत्रव: । “कोई कितना ही शुद्ध और उद्योगी क्यों न हो, लोग उसपर दोषारोपण कर ही देते हैं। अपने धार्मिक कर्मोमें लगे हुए वनवासी मुनिके भी शत्रु, मित्र और उदासीन--ये तीन पक्ष पैदा हो जाते हैं ।।
utpādyante trayaḥ pakṣā mitrodāsīnaśatravaḥ | lubdhānāṃ śucayo dveṣyāḥ kātarāṇāṃ tarasvinaḥ |
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Kahit ang tao’y dalisay at masikap sa matuwid na asal, may mga tao pa ring naghahanap ng mali sa kanya. Kaya kahit ang isang pantas na naninirahan sa gubat at abala sa mga gawaing panrelihiyon, di-maiiwasang magkaroon ng tatlong panig—mga kaibigan, mga walang kinikilingan, at mga kaaway. At higit pa, ang sakim ay nagkakamuhi sa di-sakim, at ang duwag ay nagkakamuhi sa matapang; sa gayon ding paraan, ang mangmang ay nagkakamuhi sa marunong, ang dukha ay naiinggit sa napakayaman, ang makasalanan ay nagkakamuhi sa matuwid, at ang pangit ay naiinggit sa maganda.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that social reactions are not a reliable measure of virtue: even the righteous attract blame, and factions naturally form around any person. He highlights envy as a predictable psychological pattern—those ruled by a vice tend to resent its opposite (greed vs. purity, cowardice vs. courage), so one should remain steady in dharma without seeking universal approval.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction section, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on ethics and conduct after the war. Here he explains why even ascetic sages gain supporters, indifferent observers, and opponents, and he illustrates how flawed people often direct hostility toward those who embody virtues they lack.