Shloka 1.7.6
अमात्य-गुणवर्णनम् (The Virtues of Daśaratha’s Ministers and the Order of Governance)
विद्याविनीता ह्रीमन्त: कुशला नियतेन्द्रिया: ।श्रीमन्तश्च महात्मानश्शास्त्रज्ञा दृढविक्रमा: ।।1.7.5।। कीर्तिमन्त: प्रणिहिता: यथावचनकारिण: ।तेज: क्षमायश:प्राप्ता स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिण: ।।1.7.6।।
vidyāvinītā hrīmantaḥ kuśalā niyatendriyāḥ | śrīmantaś ca mahātmānaḥ śāstrajñā dṛḍhavikramāḥ || (1.7.5) kīrtimantaḥ praṇihitā yathāvacanakāriṇaḥ | tejaḥkṣamāyaśaḥprāptā smitapūrvābhibhāṣiṇaḥ || (1.7.6)
In this recension, the same portrayal runs across the verse division: the king’s men were learned and disciplined, morally modest, skilled and self-controlled; prosperous, noble, and śāstra-versed; famed, attentive, and true to their word in action; radiant, forbearing, honoured, and gentle in speech, speaking with a smile.
They were welleducated in all branches of knowledge and deemed unjust acts shameful. They were renowned, proficient, versed in sastras, wealthy and magnanimous. They had their senses restrained and their deeds were in accordance with their words. They acted with determination. They were brilliant, forgiving and reputed. And always spoke with a smile.
The same dharmic ideal is reinforced through repetition: ethical governance depends on inner discipline and satya—speech and action must match.
A textual feature of the Southern Recension: the description of ministerial virtues is carried over with verse markers, emphasizing the court’s dharmic foundation.
Reliability and moral polish: self-control, truthfulness in conduct, and courteous communication.