Shloka 50

Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa

The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa

Devanagari script

धर्मान्वितेषु विज्ञाता मन्त्री गुप्तश्न॒ पाण्डव । आप्तो राजा कुलीनश्व पर्याप्तो राजसंग्रहे

Transliteration

dharmānvitēṣu vijñātā mantrī guptaśnaḥ pāṇḍava | āpto rājā kulīnaś ca paryāpto rājasaṅgrahe ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “O Pāṇḍava, a minister should be discerning in matters grounded in dharma, skilled in secret intelligence, and trustworthy. The king too should be reliable, of noble lineage, and fully competent in the management and consolidation of the kingdom.”

Word by Word

धर्मान्वितेषुamong/with those endowed with dharma (righteous qualities)

विज्ञाताknower; expert; one who understands

मन्त्रीminister; counsellor

गुप्तश्चand protected/guarded; secret (kept)

पाण्डवO Pāṇḍava

आप्तःtrusted; reliable; faithful

राजाking

कुलीनश्चand of noble lineage

पर्याप्तःcompetent; sufficient; capable

राजसंग्रहेin the administration/collection of royal affairs; in royal management

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira)

rājā (the king)

mantrī (minister)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Effective and ethical governance requires (1) a minister who is dharma-informed, discreet, and skilled in confidential intelligence, and (2) a king who is trustworthy, well-bred in conduct, and competent in administering and consolidating the realm.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the qualifications needed for stable rule—highlighting the character and capabilities required of both the king and his minister.