Shloka 4
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
नापरीक्ष्य महीपाल: सचिवं कर्तुमर्हति । अकुलीननराकीर्णो न राजा सुखमेधते
na parīkṣya mahīpālaḥ sacivaṃ kartum arhati | akulīnanarākīrṇo na rājā sukham edhate ||
Bhīṣma dit : « Un roi ne doit pas faire d’un homme son ministre sans l’avoir d’abord éprouvé. Quand un souverain est entouré d’hommes à la conduite vile et à la naissance médiocre, il n’obtient ni bonheur ni prospérité ; son règne décline sous l’effet de conseils indignes. »
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must appoint ministers only after careful examination; unworthy or ill-qualified associates undermine a king’s happiness and prosperity by corrupting counsel and administration.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on principles of statecraft, emphasizing scrutiny and merit in choosing close advisers.