Shloka 16
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
मन्त्रिणो यस्य कुलजा असंहार्या: सहोषिता: । नृपतेर्मतिदा: सन्त: सम्बन्धज्ञानकोविदा:
mantriṇo yasya kulajā asaṃhāryāḥ sahoṣitāḥ | nṛpater matidāḥ santaḥ sambandhajñānakovidāḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「大臣たちが高貴の家に生まれ、貪欲によって買収されず、財で切り崩されることもなく、常に王の傍らにあって正しい知恵を授け、徳ある人として、同盟と諸関係を見抜く術に通じているなら、その王こそ王権の果実を受けるにふさわしい。かかる助言者は慎重な策によって未来を整え、時機を得た行動へと君を導き、すでに過ぎ去ったことへの悔恨に心を乱されない。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s success and rightful enjoyment of royal power depend on the quality of his ministers: they must be noble, incorruptible, constantly present, morally upright, and expert in managing alliances and relationships, giving timely and future-oriented counsel without being trapped in regret over the past.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma is advising the ruler on the practical and ethical foundations of kingship, emphasizing that wise, loyal, and unbribable ministers are essential for stable governance and the proper fruits of rule.