Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अस्तब्धं प्रश्मितं श्लक्ष्णं मृुदुवादिनमेव च । धीरं शूरं महर्द्धि च देशकालोपपादकम्
astabdhaṁ praśmitaṁ ślakṣṇaṁ mṛduvādinaṁ eva ca | dhīraṁ śūraṁ maharddhi ca deśakālopapādakam ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王は、驕らず、ほほえみ穏やかで、身のこなしは洗練され、言葉は柔らかな者を大臣に任じるべきである。心は揺るがず勇敢で、資力と才覚に富み、土地と時機をわきまえて相応に行動できる者である。」
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma teaches that a minister must combine inner discipline (humility, composure, gentle speech) with outer competence (courage, resources, and the practical wisdom to act according to time and place).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma continues advising the ruler on how to choose capable counselors, listing key personal and administrative virtues required for effective governance.