Shloka 28
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
कुलीन: शीलसम्पन्नस्तितिक्षुरविकत्थन: । शुरक्षार्याश्न विद्वांश्व प्रतिपत्तिविशारद:
kulīnaḥ śīlasampannastitikṣur avikatthanaḥ | śūraḥ kṣāryaś ca vidvāṁś ca pratipattiviśāradaḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。大臣に据えるべきは、名門の出で、徳を備え、艱難に耐え、虚しい自賛をしない者である。真に勇敢で、敬うに足り、学識があり、なすべきこととなすべからざることを見分ける術に通じた者たちだ。かかる人々は王のあらゆる事業を任せるにふさわしい。君主は礼を尽くして遇し、安楽と必要な資具を与えて支えよ。そうして尊ばれ養われるなら、彼らは統治の務めにおいて、頼みとなる有能な助け手となる。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should select ministers by virtue and competence—nobility of conduct, patience, humility (no boasting), courage, learning, and sound practical judgment—and then sustain them with honor and adequate support so they can serve effectively.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma is advising the ruler on statecraft: who is fit to be appointed as a minister and how such counselors should be treated to ensure stable and capable governance.