Shloka 9
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
सचिवं देशकालज्ञं सत्त्वसंग्रहणे रतम् । सततं युक्तमनसं हितैषिणमतन्द्रितम्
bhīṣma uvāca | sacivaṁ deśa-kāla-jñaṁ sattva-saṅgrahaṇe ratam | satataṁ yukta-manasaṁ hitaiṣiṇam atandritam ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Le roi doit nommer ministre celui qui connaît le lieu et le temps ; qui s’applique à rassembler et à maintenir les ressources et la force du royaume ; dont l’esprit demeure sans cesse discipliné et vigilant ; qui recherche le bien du souverain ; et qui est exempt de paresse.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should choose a minister who combines contextual intelligence (knowing place and time), disciplined attention, tireless vigilance, and genuine commitment to the ruler’s welfare—because effective and ethical governance depends on prudent judgment, resource stewardship, and self-controlled service.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhiṣṭhira in the broader frame) on criteria for appointing ministers, emphasizing practical competence and moral reliability as foundations of stable rule.