Shloka 8

Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)

Devanagari script

कुलीनात्‌ शीलसम्पन्नानिज्धितज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्‌ । देशकालविधाननज्ञान्‌ भर्त॒कार्यहितैषिण:

Transliteration

kulīnāt śīla-sampannān ijdhita-jñāna-niṣṭhurān | deśa-kāla-vidhāna-jñān bhartṛ-kārya-hitaiṣiṇaḥ ||

Translation

Bhishma berkata: “Untuk diangkat, pilihlah mereka yang berdarah mulia dan berperilaku baik; teguh dalam pengetahuan dan tidak lemah tekad; memahami tata-aturan sesuai tempat dan waktu; serta menghendaki kebaikan urusan-urusan tuannya.”

Word by Word

कुलीनात्from a noble (man/family)

शीलसम्पन्नान्endowed with good conduct

स्निग्धान्affectionate, kind

ज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्firm/unyielding in knowledge

देशकालविधानज्ञाःknowing the rules of place and time

भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणःseeking the welfare of the master's work (loyal well-wishers)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

bhartṛ (the master/lord, generic)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhīṣma teaches criteria for selecting trusted aides: noble conduct and lineage, firmness grounded in knowledge, situational judgment (place–time propriety), and a sincere commitment to the master’s welfare rather than self-interest.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva’s instruction on righteous rule and social order, Bhīṣma continues advising the king on practical dharma—here, describing the qualities desirable in those appointed to serve and manage a ruler’s affairs.