Shloka 14
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
लब्धुं लब्धा हापि सदा रक्षितुं भरतर्षभ । यस्य भृत्यजन: सर्वो ज्ञानविज्ञानकोविद:
labdhuṁ labdhā hi api sadā rakṣituṁ bharatarṣabha | yasya bhṛtyajanaḥ sarvo jñāna-vijñāna-kovidaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「バーラタ族の雄牛よ、たとえ何かを得たとしても、それを守り抜くことは常に難しい。王は助け手なくして独りで国を治めることはできぬ。まことに、有能な従者なくして人のいかなる目的も成就せず、たとえ成就しても確実に保全することはできない。知と実務の叡智に通じ、善意を抱き、良き家柄に生まれ、情愛に厚い者たちが臣下として揃うとき、その統治者のみが王権の果実を真に味わうのだ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Acquisition is not enough; preservation requires a competent, loyal administrative support system. A ruler succeeds and enjoys sovereignty only when supported by skilled, well-wishing, and trustworthy servants who combine knowledge with practical discernment.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira about the practical necessities of kingship—especially the need for qualified aides and ministers to obtain goals and to safeguard what has been achieved.