Shloka 15
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
हितैषी कुलज: स्निग्ध: स राज्यफलमश्षुते,भीष्मजीने कहा--तात भरतनन्दन! कोई भी सहायकोंके बिना अकेले राज्य नहीं चला सकता। राज्य ही क्या? सहायकोंके बिना किसी भी अर्थकी प्राप्ति नहीं होती। यदि प्राप्ति हो भी गयी तो सदा उसकी रक्षा असम्भव हो जाती है (अतः सेवकों या सहायकोंका होना आवश्यक है)। जिसके सभी सेवक ज्ञान-विज्ञानमें कुशल, हितैषी, कुलीन और स्नेही हों, वही राजा राज्यका फल भोग सकता है
hitaiṣī kulajaḥ snigdhaḥ sa rājya-phalam aśnute
Bhishma said: Only that king truly enjoys the fruits of sovereignty whose attendants are competent in knowledge and practical skill, well-born, affectionate, and sincerely devoted to his welfare. For no one can govern a kingdom alone; indeed, no meaningful aim is attained without helpers, and even what is gained cannot be securely protected without them. Therefore, the right kind of servants and allies are essential to stable rule.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s success depends on capable, loyal, and well-intentioned assistants; governance and the protection of gains are impossible in isolation, so selecting trustworthy and skilled attendants is a key duty of rājadharma.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira that effective rule requires a strong circle of competent and devoted servants and counselors, without whom neither administration nor security can be sustained.