Shloka 17
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
धीरो मर्षी शुचिस्तीक्षण: काले पुरुषकारवित् । शुश्रूषु: श्रुववान् श्रोता ऊहापोहविशारद:
dhīro marṣī śucis tīkṣṇaḥ kāle puruṣakāravit | śuśrūṣuḥ śrutavān śrotā ūhāpohaviśāradaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王は心堅く忍耐深く、内に清浄を保ち、しかも時が求めるならば断固として鋭くあらねばならぬ。人の真の努力と主体性を理解し、賢者の言に喜んで耳を傾け、これに仕える心を持ち、聞いたことから学び、聴く者として怠りなく、さらに推理と弁別に通じて、諸案を量り、正しきものを誤りから分けることができねばならぬ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma outlines the ideal traits of a ruler: inner purity and patience, firmness when circumstances require it, respect for counsel and learning, and sharp discernment to judge arguments and choose the right course in governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the standards and competencies a king must cultivate to rule justly and effectively.