the position can make or mar you...

पदस्थितस्य पद्मस्य मित्रे वरुणभास्करौ।

पदच्युतस्य तस्यैव क्लेशदाहकरावुभौ॥

padasthitasya padmasya mitre varuṇabhāskarau|

padacyutasya tasyaiva kleśadāhakarāvubhau||

This subhashitam is seen quoted in this form or in slightly varied manner but conveying the same idea in most of the available compendiums ..

So it would be superfluous to hunt for bibliography..

When a person is occupying a high and favourable post he will have strong persons as his friends.. But once the person ceases to occupy the position of eminence, the same friends and allies can turn unfriendly and could even cause destruction.

The world is so opportunistic.

The author of the above subhashitam draws analogy from the status of a lotus flower blooming in a waterfront..

The meaning of the subhashitam is

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When the lotus is standing in its rightful place the lord of waters Varuna and the Lord of the sky Surya are both its great friends..

However, once the lotus is displaced or removed from its stalk, the same water causes rot and decay to the flower and the same sun burns and causes fading

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We know that the root of the lotus stem fixed to the bottom of the waterfront keeps the flower beautifully aloft.. And when the sun raises, the flower blooms to its great glory and beauty.

But if the lotus is just plucked and placed in the same water, the flower loses its attractiveness and the water can cause rotting of the flower.. Similarly when the louts is taken away, the heat of the sun can scorch it ..

We can remain in the priority list only as long as we occupy good positions.. Most often our positions determine our status..

If we realize that no high position is permanent for anyone then we can prepare ourselves realistically to face the days which are no longer green and bright..

Analysis

पदस्थितस्य when placed in the proper position

पद्मस्य for the lotus flower

वरुण भास्करौ Varuna( god of waters ) and Bhaskara (Sun)

मित्रे भवतः are two friends

पदच्युतस्य when displaced from the right positions

तस्य for him, for the lotus

एव too

उभौ the two..

क्लेश decay

दाह scorching

कारकौ those who cause

भवतः become..