"'Yudhishthira said, "O illustrious one, thou art conversant with all duties and all the scriptures. Do thou tell me, what is truly the friend of mortal creatures? Is the father, or mother, or son, or preceptor, or kinsmen, or relatives, or those called friends, that may be said to truly constitute the friend of a mortal creature? One goes to the next world, leaving one's dead body that is like a piece of wood or a clod of earth. Who is it that follows him thither?"Mbh 13.111.4 · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA
Mbh 13.111.4
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
FriendshipDeathFamilyNatureChildrenDharmaGrief
Friendship in other traditions
The same theme, as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hellenism address it.
Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.Dhp 6.78 · Dhammapada · The Wise Man (Pandita)
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.Proverbs 18:24 · Bible · Proverbs
And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friendQuran 70:10 · Quran
With that, the chiefs beneath his roof he led, And placed in seats with purple carpets spread. Then thus—“Patroclus, crown a larger bowl, Mix purer wine, and open every soul. Of all the warriors yonder host can send, Thy friend most honours these, and these thy friend.”Iliad 9.16 · Iliad · 9
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