Shloka 141
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
नास्ति मैत्री स्थिरा नाम न च ध्रुवमसौहृदम् । अर्थयुक्त्यानुजायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा
nāsti maitrī sthirā nāma na ca dhruvam asauhṛdam | arthayuktyā anujāyante mitrāṇi ripavas tathā ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Tình bạn thật ra không phải điều cố định vĩnh viễn; thù hận cũng chẳng bất biến. Theo sự tính toán của lợi lộc và quyền lợi, người ta trở thành bạn—và cũng như thế, trở thành thù.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that worldly friendship and hostility are often contingent, shaped by shifting interests and expedient calculations. Therefore one should not treat alliances as eternally reliable, but act with discernment, steadiness in dharma, and awareness of changing motives.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma is explaining principles of conduct and governance. Here he highlights the instability of political and social relationships, noting that friends and enemies frequently arise from considerations of advantage rather than enduring affection or hatred.