Shloka 21
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
संगृहीतजनो<स्तब्ध: प्रसन्नचदन: सदा । सदा भृत्यजनापेक्षी न क्रोधी सुमहामना:
saṅgṛhītajano 'stabdhaḥ prasannavadanaḥ sadā | sadā bhṛtyajanāpekṣī na krodhī sumahāmanāḥ ||
ビーシュマは教える。指導者は善き人々を集めて留め、鈍い硬直を捨て、常に和やかな面差しを保つべきである。召使いと扶養される者の必要に心を配り、誰に対しても怒りに身を任せず、広く寛いだ心を保て。かくして和合と、ダルマにかなう統治が保たれる。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or responsible person should cultivate people through kindness and steadiness: be approachable (not rigid or arrogant), keep a pleasant demeanor, care for servants and dependents, avoid anger, and remain magnanimous—these traits preserve loyalty and dharmic order.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on the qualities of an ideal leader—how to relate to people, manage temperament, and sustain a harmonious household or kingdom.