Shloka 21
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
रूपवर्णस्वरोपेतस्तितिक्षुरनसूयक: । कुलीन: शीलसम्पन्न: स ते स्यात् प्रत्यनन्तर:
rūpavarṇasvaropetastitikṣuranasūyakaḥ | kulīnaḥ śīlasampannaḥ sa te syāt praty-anantaraḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「容姿が好ましく、肌の色つやもよく、声が甘美で、忍耐強く、あら探しや嫉みを離れ、名門の出で品行に富む者を、汝の首席の書記として、策議における最も近き随臣に任じよ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler’s closest adviser should be chosen primarily for character: patience, freedom from envy and fault-finding, noble conduct, and refined speech—qualities that preserve trust, discretion, and ethical governance.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma (duties of kings), Bhīṣma is advising the king on selecting key officials, specifying the virtues required for the principal secretary who remains nearest in counsel.