Shloka 26
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
एक कामपर एक ही व्यक्तिको नियुक्त करना चाहिये, दो या तीनको नहीं; क्योंकि वे आपसमें एक-दूसरेको सहन नहीं कर पाते; एक कार्यपर नियुक्त हुए अनेक व्यक्तियोंमें प्रायः सदा मतभेद हो ही जाता है ।।
ekakāmapara ekaṁ hī vyaktiṁ niyoktuṁ cāhye, dvau vā trīn vā na; yato te parasparaṁ anyonyaṁ soḍhuṁ na śaknuvanti; ekasmin kārye niyuktānāṁ bahūnāṁ vyaktīnāṁ madhye prāyaḥ sadā matabhedo bhavati. kīrtipradhāno yas tu syād yaś ca sthāt samaye sthitaḥ | samarthān yaś ca na dveṣṭi nānarthān kurute ca yaḥ ||
一つの務めは一人に任せるべきで、二人三人にしてはならぬ。彼らは互いに耐えがたく、同じ任に就けば、ほとんど必ず意見の相違が起こるからである。さらにビーシュマは理想の宰相を説く。真の名誉を第一とし、法度と慣例の範囲に身を置き、有能な者をねたまず、害や混乱を招かぬ者。欲・恐れ・貪り・怒りに迫られてもダルマを捨てず、事を運ぶ手腕に長け、時の要にかなう言葉を選べる者——そのような人物こそ、汝の宰相とすべきである。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Assign one responsible person per task to prevent factional conflict, and choose a chief minister who prioritizes honorable reputation, remains within proper norms, does not envy the capable, avoids causing harm, and never abandons dharma due to desire, fear, greed, or anger.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma is advising the king on practical governance: how to structure appointments and what moral and professional qualities to seek in a principal minister.