Shloka 10
राष्ट्रगुप्ति-संग्रहः
Protection of the Realm and Principles of Revenue & Local Administration
नगरे नगरे वा स्यादेक: सर्वार्थचिन्तक:
nagarae nagarae vā syād ekaḥ sarvārtha-cintakaḥ | athavā pratyeka-nagare ekam evaṃ-vidham adhikārī bhavet, yaḥ sarva-kāryāṇāṃ cintanaṃ nirīkṣaṇaṃ ca kuryāt | yathā kaścid bhayaṅkaraḥ graha ākāśe nakṣatrāṇām upari sthitaḥ paribhramati, tathā sa adhikārī uttama-sthāne pratiṣṭhitaḥ sarveṣāṃ sabhāsad-ādīnām antike paribhraman teṣāṃ kāryāṇāṃ parīkṣāṃ nirantaraṃ kuryāt ||
Bhīṣma said: “In each city there should be a single superintendent who thinks through every matter and keeps watch over all affairs. Stationed in the highest place, he should move among the councillors and other officials, continually examining their conduct and the execution of their duties—like a formidable planet that, set above the constellations, courses through the sky. The teaching is that public order depends on vigilant, impartial oversight and constant accountability in administration.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s administration should include a single, capable overseer in each city who plans comprehensively and continuously inspects officials. Constant, impartial scrutiny prevents negligence and corruption and sustains dharma in public life.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on practical governance. Here he recommends appointing a high-placed supervisory officer who circulates among councillors and staff, auditing their work, illustrated by the image of a planet moving above the stars.