Shloka 6
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
कुलीना देशजाः: प्राज्ञा रूपवन्तो बहुश्रुता: । प्रगल्भाश्चानुरक्ताश्न ते तव स्यु: परिच्छदा:
kulīnā deśajāḥ prājñā rūpavanto bahuśrutāḥ | pragalbhāś cānuraktāś ca te tava syuḥ paricchadāḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Let those who are of noble lineage and native to your own land—wise, handsome, well-versed in learning, bold, and devoted—be your attendants and retinue, such as commanders and other key functionaries.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should appoint close attendants and key officers (including military leaders) who combine noble character and social credibility (kulīna), local rootedness (deśaja), competence and learning (prājña, bahuśruta), courage (pragalbha), and loyal commitment (anurakta).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma lays down criteria for selecting the king’s inner circle and functionaries, emphasizing both capability and trustworthy loyalty as foundations of stable rule.