Shloka 12
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
हस्तिशिक्षासु तत्त्वज्ञमहंकारविवर्जितम् । प्रगल्भं दक्षिणं दानन््तं बलिन॑ युक्तकारिणम्
hastiśikṣāsu tattvajñam ahaṅkāravivarjitam | pragalbhaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ dāntaṃ balinaṃ yuktakāriṇam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Raja hendaknya mengangkat sebagai menteri orang yang sungguh memahami disiplin pelatihan gajah; bebas dari keakuan; percaya diri dan cakap; bijaksana serta santun; mampu menahan diri; kuat; dan bertindak dengan pertimbangan yang tepat.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should choose ministers who combine practical expertise (even in specialized royal arts like elephant-training) with inner virtues—humility, self-control, strength, tact, and sound judgment—so that power is guided by disciplined character.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on governance. Here he lists key traits of an ideal minister, emphasizing competence joined to humility and restraint.