Shloka 8

Devanagari script

कुलीनात्‌ शीलसम्पन्नानिज्धितज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्‌ । देशकालविधाननज्ञान्‌ भर्त॒कार्यहितैषिण:

Transliteration

kulīnāt śīla-sampannān ijdhita-jñāna-niṣṭhurān | deśa-kāla-vidhāna-jñān bhartṛ-kārya-hitaiṣiṇaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma dijo: «(Elige y nombra) a quienes sean de linaje noble y de buena conducta; firmes en el saber y no de voluntad débil; conocedores de las normas apropiadas según el lugar y el tiempo; y que busquen el bien de los asuntos de su señor».

Word by Word

• कुलीनात्: from a noble (man/family)
• कुलीनात्: Apadana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुलीन
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• शीलसम्पन्नान्: endowed with good conduct
• शीलसम्पन्नान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीलसम्पन्न
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• स्निग्धान्: affectionate, kind
• स्निग्धान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्निग्ध
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• ज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्: firm/unyielding in knowledge
• ज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञाननिष्ठुर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• देशकालविधानज्ञाः: knowing the rules of place and time
• देशकालविधानज्ञाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देशकालविधानज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः: seeking the welfare of the master's work (loyal well-wishers)
• भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भर्तृकार्यहितैषिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• bhartṛ (the master/lord, generic)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhīṣma teaches criteria for selecting trusted aides: noble conduct and lineage, firmness grounded in knowledge, situational judgment (place–time propriety), and a sincere commitment to the master’s welfare rather than self-interest.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous rule and social order, Bhīṣma continues advising the king on practical dharma—here, describing the qualities desirable in those appointed to serve and manage a ruler’s affairs.