Shloka 3
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अनुक्रोशं बल वीर्य प्रभावं प्रश्नयं क्षमाम् । भृत्या ये यत्र योग्या: स्युस्तत्र स्थाप्या: सुरक्षिता:
anukrośaṁ bala vīrya prabhāvaṁ praśnayaṁ kṣamām | bhṛtyā ye yatra yogyāḥ syus tatra sthāpyāḥ surakṣitāḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。賢き王はまず、家臣たちに慈悲、力、勇武、威勢、謙譲、そして忍耐と寛恕が備わっているかを見定めねばならぬ。ついで、誰がいかなる務めに適うかを識り、各人をその器にかなう職に就け、十分な護りと安寧を与えるべきである。かくして統治は実効を得、またダルマにかなう—功により人を配し、仕える者を守るのである。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must evaluate the inner qualities of subordinates—compassion, capability, courage, influence, humility, and patience—and then assign duties according to aptitude while ensuring their safety. Right appointment and protection of servants is presented as a key element of righteous governance (rājadharma).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader dialogue) on administrative ethics: how to select, place, and safeguard servants/officials so that the state functions justly and effectively.