Shloka 17
Vyāghra–Gomāyu Saṃvāda (व्याघ्रगोमायु संवाद) — Testing Character Beneath Appearances
तं शुचिं पण्डितं मत्वा शार्दूल: ख्यातविक्रम: । कृत्वा55त्मसदृशीं पूजां साचिव्येडवरयत् स्वयम्
taṁ śuciṁ paṇḍitaṁ matvā śārdūlaḥ khyātavikramaḥ | kṛtvātmasadṛśīṁ pūjāṁ sācivye ’dvarayat svayam ||
भीष्म बोले—उसे शुद्ध आचरण वाला और पण्डित जानकर, पराक्रम में प्रसिद्ध शार्दूल-स्वभाव पुरुष उसके पास आया। अपने पद के अनुरूप उसका सत्कार करके, उसने स्वयं उसे मन्त्री-पद के लिए चुन लिया।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler (or powerful leader) should recognize and elevate people of proven purity of conduct (śuci) and learning (paṇḍita) to positions of counsel; ethical character and wisdom are presented as primary qualifications for ministerial responsibility.
A renowned, powerful figure hears of the man’s virtuous reputation, approaches him, honors him appropriately, and then personally appoints him as a minister—showing deliberate selection based on merit and character.