Shloka 13
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
यं मन्येत ममाभावादिममर्थागमं स्पृशेत् । नित्यं तस्माच्छडुकितव्यममित्र तद् विदुर्बुधा:
yaṁ manyeta mamābhāvād imam arthāgamaṁ spṛśet | nityaṁ tasmāc chadukitavyam amitra tad vidur budhāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“若心中生起此念：‘我一旦不在，此人或将为王，并将一切财利之流尽归己有’，那么——无论此人是谁，纵是兄弟、邻里，乃至亲子——也当时时戒备。因为智者识得，此等之人即是仇敌。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches political and ethical vigilance: anyone who is believed to be waiting for your death to gain the throne and appropriate wealth should be treated as a potential enemy, regardless of familial or social closeness.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on recognizing hidden hostility in court and family life—specifically, the danger posed by those who anticipate succession and material gain from one’s demise.