Shloka 10
Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment
Chapter 86
श्रुतिस्मृतिसमायुक्तं विनीतं समदर्शिनम् । कार्य विवदमानानां शक्तमर्थेष्वलोलुपम्
śrutismṛtisamāyuktaṃ vinītaṃ samadarśinam | kārya-vivadamānānāṃ śaktam artheṣv alolupam ||
Bhishma berkata: “Raja hendaknya mengangkat seorang penasihat yang berlandaskan pada wahyu dan tradisi (śruti dan smṛti), berdisiplin dalam laku, memandang dengan adil tanpa memihak, cakap menyelesaikan sengketa dalam urusan dharma dan pemerintahan, serta bebas dari ketamakan dalam perkara harta dan keuntungan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s counsellor should unite scriptural learning (śruti–smṛti) with character: discipline, impartiality, practical competence in resolving disputes, and freedom from greed—so that policy and justice are guided by dharma rather than self-interest.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma lays down criteria for selecting advisers. This verse highlights the personal and ethical qualifications expected of a key minister or judge-like counsellor in the royal council.