Shloka 17
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
कुलीना वाक्यसम्पन्ना ज्ञानविज्ञानकोविदा: । रूपवन्तो गुणोपेतास्तथा5लुब्धा जितश्रमा:
kulīnā vākyasampannā jñānavijñānakovidāḥ | rūpavanto guṇopetās tathā alubdhā jitśramāḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「王は友として、名門の出で言葉にすぐれ、学知と実際の見識に通じ、容姿端正で徳を備え、貪りなく、努力に倦まぬ者を選ぶべきである。そのような伴侶—正直で有能、世に名高い者—は、私利のためではなく、信頼できる助言と揺るがぬ奉仕、そして自制によって王のダルマを支える。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should form close alliances only with people of proven character—noble conduct, articulate counsel, learned and practically wise, virtuous, non-greedy, and tireless—because such friends strengthen righteous governance and prevent corruption driven by self-interest.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader context) about the criteria for selecting trustworthy friends and associates, emphasizing moral and intellectual qualifications over mere advantage.