Shloka 77
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
असंतुष्टाक्ष्युता: स्थानान्मानात् प्रत्यवरोपिता: । स्वयं चोपह्ता भृत्या ये चाप्युपहिता: परै:
asaṃtuṣṭākṣyutāḥ sthānān mānāt pratyavaropitāḥ | svayaṃ copahṛtā bhṛtyā ye cāpyupahitāḥ paraiḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：那些因被撤去职分而不满、从荣誉中被贬抑并受辱的臣仆；以及那些曾蒙君王恩宠，却因他人诽谤而被夺去旧日敬重的人——此类家臣往往会成为敌人的工具。道德警诫昭然：怨恨、羞辱与受伤的自尊若潜伏于自家门内，便会成为外敌可乘之隙。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must recognize that disgruntled, humiliated, or slandered retainers can become channels for hostile influence. Protecting honor, ensuring fair treatment, and preventing courtly defamation are essential to prevent internal betrayal.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma advises about the dangers within one’s own service circle. He lists types of servants whose wounded status and resentment make them likely to serve an enemy’s purposes.