Shloka 30
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
मन्त्रिण्यननुरक्ते तु विश्वासो नोपपद्यते । तस्मादननुरक्ताय नैव मन्त्र प्रकाशयेत्
mantriṇy ananurakte tu viśvāso nopapadyate | tasmād ananuraktāya naiva mantraṁ prakāśayet ||
Bhishma said: Trust is not appropriate in a minister who lacks genuine loyalty. Therefore, one should never disclose one’s confidential counsel to a minister who is without devotion to the king.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should place confidence only in ministers who are genuinely loyal; confidential policy and strategy must not be shared with an advisor lacking devotion, since secrecy and fidelity are foundations of sound governance.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship and governance, Bhishma advises the listener on how to choose and handle ministers, warning that disloyal advisors are unfit for trust and should not be entrusted with secret deliberations.