Shloka 18
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
तं शक््त्या वर्धमानश्न सर्वतः परिबृंहयेत् । नित्यं क्षताद् वारयति यो धर्मेष्वपि कर्मसु
taṁ śaktyā vardhamānaś ca sarvataḥ paribṛṁhayet | nityaṁ kṣatād vārayati yo dharmeṣv api karmasu ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Habang dumarami ang sariling kakayahan at kasaganaan, dapat—ayon sa makakaya—palakasin ang taong iyon (ang hari) at itaguyod ang kanyang kagalingan sa lahat ng panig. Siya ang tunay na kaibigan na, kahit abala sa mga gawa ng dharma, ay walang tigil na nagsisikap iligtas ang hari sa pagkalugi at nababalisa sa posibilidad ng kapahamakan ng hari. Ang mga nagnanais ng pagkalugi at pagkapuksa ng hari ay dapat ituring na mga kaaway.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A true friend is defined by active, continual concern for the ruler’s welfare: using one’s growing capacity to strengthen him, and preventing his loss even while pursuing dharmic duties; those wishing the ruler’s ruin are enemies.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how to recognize genuine allies: friends protect and promote the king’s prosperity, whereas those who seek his harm are to be treated as foes.