Shloka 6
Ānṛśaṃsya, Amātya-Guṇa, and Reconciliatory Counsel (आनृशंस्य–अमात्यगुण–संधि-उपदेशः)
त्वादृशं हि कुले जातमनृशंसं बहुश्रुतम् । अमात्यं को न कुर्वीत राज्यप्रणयकोविदम्
tvādṛśaṃ hi kule jātam anṛśaṃsaṃ bahuśrutam | amātyaṃ ko na kurvīta rājya-praṇaya-kovidam ||
You are born of a noble line, compassionate in conduct, widely learned in the śāstras, and skilled in the arts of governance and statecraft. Who would not choose a man like you as a minister?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma highlights the ethical and practical qualifications of an ideal minister: noble upbringing, compassion (non-cruelty), broad learning in śāstra, and proven competence in governance. Such virtues make a person naturally worthy of trust and appointment.
In the instruction on dharma and governance in the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma addresses a listener with praise, emphasizing that someone possessing humane character, learning, and administrative skill is exactly the kind of person any ruler would appoint as a minister.