Shloka 7
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
दौष्कुलेयाश्न लुब्धाश्न नृशंसा निरपत्रपा: । ते त्वां तात निषेवेयुर्यावदार्द्रकपाणय:
dauṣkuleyāś ca lubdhāś ca nṛśaṃsā nirapatrapāḥ | te tvāṃ tāta niṣeveyur yāvad ārdrakapāṇayaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Those born of disgraced lineage, greedy by nature, cruel, and shameless will serve you, dear child, only so long as their hands remain wet—only while they continue to receive gifts and benefits. Their loyalty is not grounded in duty, but in gain.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma warns that people who are greedy and shameless offer service only for material gain; their loyalty lasts only while benefits flow. A ruler should discern character and not mistake self-interest for devotion to duty.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and conduct, Bhishma addresses the listener (tāta) and cautions him about unreliable attendants—those who remain close only while they are being rewarded.