Shloka 16
Adhyāya 272: Vṛtrasya Dharmiṣṭhatā, Indrasya Mohaḥ, Vasiṣṭha-upadeśaḥ
Vṛtra’s dharmic stature; Indra’s disorientation; Vasiṣṭha’s counsel
तस्यैव सिज्चते मूलं गुणान् पश्यति तत्र वै । धर्मात्मा भवति होवं मित्रं च लभते शुभम्
tasyaiva siñcate mūlaṃ guṇān paśyati tatra vai | dharmātmā bhavati hovaṃ mitraṃ ca labhate śubham ||
毗湿摩说道：“凡人于何处见到真实的德行，便于何处滋养善之根本。如此行之，其心归于正法，并得一位吉祥而有益的良友。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Recognize virtue where it truly exists and actively support its source; this cultivation of goodness makes one dharmic in character and naturally attracts wholesome, beneficial friendships.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous conduct, Bhishma advises the listener that discerning and nurturing good qualities—rather than ignoring them—builds one’s own moral nature and leads to the gain of an auspicious friend or ally.