Shloka 41
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
य एवं वर्तते नित्य॑ ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिमण्डले । मित्रेष्वमित्रे मध्यस्थे चिरं यशसि तिकछति
ya evaṁ vartate nityaṁ jñāti-sambandhi-maṇḍale | mitreṣv amitre madhyasthé ciraṁ yaśasi tiṣṭhati ||
Bhīṣma nói: Ai luôn cư xử theo cách ấy trong vòng thân tộc và quan hệ—đối với bạn, thù, và cả người đứng trung lập—thì sẽ được an lập trong danh tiếng bền lâu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steady, principled behavior toward all categories of people—kinsmen, friends, enemies, and neutrals—creates and preserves enduring fame; ethical consistency is presented as the foundation of social honor.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and proper conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising on how one should behave within one’s social circle; this verse summarizes the result of such consistent policy: long-lasting good repute.