Shloka 2
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
किंशील: किंसमाचारो राज्ञो5थ सचिवो भवेत् | कीदृशे विश्वसेद् राजा कीदृशे न च विश्वसेत्
kiṁśīlaḥ kiṁsamācāro rājño ’tha sacivo bhavet | kīdṛśe viśvased rājā kīdṛśe na ca viśvaset |
Yudhiṣṭhira demanda : « Quelle disposition et quelle conduite doit posséder le conseiller (ministre) d’un roi, pour lui servir d’appui ? En quel genre d’homme un roi doit-il placer sa confiance, et en quel genre d’homme ne doit-il pas la placer ? »
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rājadharma inquiry: political power must be guided by ethical discernment. A king’s welfare depends on choosing ministers of sound character and proven conduct, and on knowing when trust is warranted and when caution is necessary.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira asks for criteria to evaluate a minister—what traits and behavior a counsellor should have, and how a king should decide whom to trust or distrust.