Shloka 23
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
ऋच्विग्वा यदि वा5<चार्य: सखा वात्यन्तसंस्तुत: । गृहे वसेदमात्यस्ते स स्थात् परमपूजित:,जिसकी बुद्धि अच्छी और स्मरणशक्ति तीव्र हो, जो कार्यसाधनमें कुशल और स्वभावतः दयालु हो तथा कभी मान या अपमान हो जानेपर जिसके हृदयमें द्वेष या दुर्भाव नहीं पैदा होता हो, ऐसा मनुष्य यदि ऋत्विज, आचार्य अथवा अत्यन्त प्रशंसित मित्र हो तो वह मन्त्री बनकर तुम्हारे घरमें रहे तथा तुम्हें उसका विशेष आदर सम्मान करना चाहिये
ṛcigvā yadi vā ācāryaḥ sakhā vātyantasaṁstutaḥ | gṛhe vased amātyas te sa syāt paramapūjitaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Whether he is your officiating priest, your teacher, or a highly acclaimed friend—if such a person is fit to accomplish tasks, naturally compassionate, and remains free from malice even when honored or insulted—then let him dwell in your household as your minister. You should treat him with the highest respect.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should appoint as minister a person of proven virtue—compassionate, capable, and free from resentment in honor or insult—and then honor such a counsellor highly, especially when he is a priest, teacher, or eminent friend.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhīṣma advises the listener on whom to keep close in the household as a trusted minister and how such a person should be treated.