Shloka 3
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अनुक्रोशं बल वीर्य प्रभावं प्रश्नयं क्षमाम् । भृत्या ये यत्र योग्या: स्युस्तत्र स्थाप्या: सुरक्षिता:
anukrośaṁ bala vīrya prabhāvaṁ praśnayaṁ kṣamām | bhṛtyā ye yatra yogyāḥ syus tatra sthāpyāḥ surakṣitāḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : Un roi sage doit d’abord discerner chez ses serviteurs la compassion, la force, la vaillance, l’influence, l’humilité et la patience qui sait pardonner. Ensuite, reconnaissant qui est apte à quelle charge, il doit confier à chacun l’office qui lui convient et assurer sa protection et sa sécurité en toute plénitude. Ainsi le gouvernement devient à la fois efficace et conforme au dharma—plaçant les hommes selon leur mérite et sauvegardant ceux qui servent.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must evaluate the inner qualities of subordinates—compassion, capability, courage, influence, humility, and patience—and then assign duties according to aptitude while ensuring their safety. Right appointment and protection of servants is presented as a key element of righteous governance (rājadharma).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader dialogue) on administrative ethics: how to select, place, and safeguard servants/officials so that the state functions justly and effectively.