Shloka 2
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
किंशील: किंसमाचारो राज्ञो5थ सचिवो भवेत् | कीदृशे विश्वसेद् राजा कीदृशे न च विश्वसेत्
kiṁśīlaḥ kiṁsamācāro rājño ’tha sacivo bhavet | kīdṛśe viśvased rājā kīdṛśe na ca viśvaset |
ユディシュティラは問うた。「王を助ける顧問（大臣）は、いかなる気質と行いを備えるべきでしょうか。王はどのような人物を信頼し、どのような人物を信頼してはならないのでしょうか。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a rājadharma inquiry: political power must be guided by ethical discernment. A king’s welfare depends on choosing ministers of sound character and proven conduct, and on knowing when trust is warranted and when caution is necessary.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira asks for criteria to evaluate a minister—what traits and behavior a counsellor should have, and how a king should decide whom to trust or distrust.