Shloka 3
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
अमात्यांश्चातिशूरांश्व ब्राह्मणांश्व॒ परिश्रुतान् । सुसंतुष्टांश्॒ कौन्तेय महोत्साहांश्व॒ कर्मसु
amātyāṁś cātiśūrāṁś ca brāhmaṇāṁś ca pariśrutān | susantuṣṭāṁś kaunteya mahotsāhāṁś ca karmasu ||
Bhishma said: “O son of Kunti, a king should have ministers and attendants of exceptional valor, Brahmanas renowned for learning and good repute, and all of them contented and highly energetic in the performance of their duties.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective and righteous governance depends on choosing capable and reputable advisers—brave ministers and respected Brāhmaṇas—who are both content (free from grievance and corruption) and energetic in carrying out their responsibilities.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on rājadharma (the duties of a king). Here he lists the kinds of people a ruler should keep close: valiant ministers and well-reputed Brāhmaṇas, characterized by satisfaction and strong initiative in work.