Shloka 13
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
श्रेयसो लक्षणं चैतद् विक्रमो यस्य दृश्यते । कीर्तिप्रधानो यश्व स्थात् समये यश्न तिषछति
śreyaso lakṣaṇaṃ caitad vikramo yasya dṛśyate | kīrtipradhāno yaśasvī syāt samaye yaś na tiṣṭhati ||
Bhishma said: “This is the mark of true excellence: a man whose valor is evident, whose life is guided chiefly by the pursuit of honorable renown, and who does not abandon his rightful reputation when the critical moment arrives.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma defines true excellence as visible courage joined with steadfast commitment to honorable reputation—especially the ability to stand firm when the decisive moment comes.
In Shanti Parva, Bhishma is instructing the king on ethical and practical standards for judging people; here he highlights valor and steadfast honor as key signs of a worthy person (fit for responsibility and counsel).