Shloka 50
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
धर्मान्वितेषु विज्ञाता मन्त्री गुप्तश्न॒ पाण्डव । आप्तो राजा कुलीनश्व पर्याप्तो राजसंग्रहे
dharmānvitēṣu vijñātā mantrī guptaśnaḥ pāṇḍava | āpto rājā kulīnaś ca paryāpto rājasaṅgrahe ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Pāṇḍava, seorang menteri harus cermat dalam perkara yang berlandaskan dharma, mahir dalam intelijen rahasia, dan dapat dipercaya. Sang raja pun harus dapat diandalkan, berdarah bangsawan, dan sepenuhnya cakap dalam pengelolaan serta pemantapan kerajaan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective and ethical governance requires (1) a minister who is dharma-informed, discreet, and skilled in confidential intelligence, and (2) a king who is trustworthy, well-bred in conduct, and competent in administering and consolidating the realm.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the qualifications needed for stable rule—highlighting the character and capabilities required of both the king and his minister.