Shloka 7
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
दौष्कुलेयाश्न लुब्धाश्न नृशंसा निरपत्रपा: । ते त्वां तात निषेवेयुर्यावदार्द्रकपाणय:,तात! जो निन्दित कुलमें उत्पन्न, लोभी, क्रूर और निर्लज्ज हैं, वे तभीतक तुम्हारी सेवा करेंगे, जबतक उनके हाथ गीले रहेंगे
dauṣkuleyāś ca lubdhāś ca nṛśaṃsā nirapatrapāḥ | te tvāṃ tāta niṣeveyur yāvad ārdrakapāṇayaḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «Quienes nacen de linaje deshonrado, codiciosos por naturaleza, crueles y desvergonzados, te servirán, hijo querido, sólo mientras sus manos permanezcan húmedas: sólo mientras sigan recibiendo dones y beneficios. Su lealtad no se funda en el deber, sino en la ganancia».
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.