Shloka 20

अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः

Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal

Devanagari script

उपासिता च वृद्धानां जिततन्द्रिरलोलुप: । सतां वृत्ते स्थितमति: संतोष्यश्चारुदर्शन:,राजाको वृद्ध पुरुषोंकी उपासना (सेवा या संग) करनी चाहिये, वह आलस्यको जीते और लोलुपताका परित्याग करे। सत्पुरुषोंके व्यवहारमें मन लगावे। संतुष्ट होने योग्य स्वभाव बनाये रखे। वेश-भूषा ऐसी रखे, जिससे वह देखनेमें अत्यन्त मनोहर जान पड़े

Transliteration

upāsitā ca vṛddhānāṃ jitatandrir alolupaḥ | satāṃ vṛtte sthitamatīḥ santoṣyaś cārudarśanaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma said: A king should keep the company of elders and serve them. He should conquer sloth and abandon greed. Let his mind be firmly set in the conduct of the virtuous; let him be easily contented by nature; and let his appearance and bearing be pleasing to behold—so that his rule is grounded in discipline, good example, and public trust.

Word by Word

• {'upāsitā (upāsitaḥ)': 'one who attends upon

• keeps close company with (especially elders/teachers)', 'vṛddhānām': 'of the elders

• of the aged and experienced', 'jita-tandriḥ': 'having conquered lethargy/sloth

• disciplined and vigilant', 'a-lolupaḥ': 'not greedy

• free from covetousness and excessive desire', 'satām': 'of the good/virtuous people', 'vṛtte': 'in conduct

• in customary behavior and ethical practice', 'sthita-matiḥ': 'steady-minded

• mentally established', 'santoṣyaḥ': 'contented

• easily pleased in rightful ways', 'cāru-darśanaḥ': 'pleasant to look at

• of agreeable appearance and demeanor', 'rājā': 'the king

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• rājā
• vṛddhāḥ (elders)
• sat (virtuous people)