Shloka 23
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
मृदुशीलं तथा प्राज्ञं शूरं चार्थविधानवित् । स्वकर्मणि नियुञ्जीत ये चान्ये च बलाधिका:
mṛduśīlaṃ tathā prājñaṃ śūraṃ cārthavidhānavit | svakarmaṇi niyuñjīta ye cānye ca balādhikāḥ ||
Raja yang memahami cara-cara mencapai tujuan hendaknya menempatkan pada tugasnya masing-masing orang yang berwatak lembut, orang bijaksana, dan pahlawan; serta juga mempekerjakan yang lain yang unggul dalam kekuatan, sesuai kelayakannya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should assign duties based on suitability—gentleness for humane dealings, wisdom for counsel and judgment, heroism for protection and enforcement, and superior strength where force is required—so that the state’s aims are achieved through appropriate means.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance: selecting and appointing capable individuals to specific tasks, emphasizing competence and fitness for role as a principle of righteous rule.