Shloka 52
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
विद्वान् पुरुष कहते हैं कि राज्यका मूल है गुप्तचर और उसका सार है गुप्त मन्त्रणा। मन्त्रीलोग तो यहाँ अपनी जीविकाके लिये ही राजाका अनुसरण करते हैं ।। संविनीय मदक्रोधौ मानमीर््ष्या च निर्व॒ता: । नित्यं पञ्चोपधातीतैर्मन्त्रयेत् सह मन्त्रिभि:,जो मद और क्रोधको जीतकर मान और ईष्यसे रहित हो गये हैं तथा जो कायिक, वाचिक, मानसिक, कर्मकृत और संकेतजनित--इन पाँचों प्रकारके छलोंको लाँधकर ऊपर उठे हुए हैं, ऐसे मन्त्रियोंके साथ ही राजाको सदा गुप्त मन्त्रणा करनी चाहिये
saṃvinīya madakrodhau mānam īrṣyā ca nirvṛtāḥ | nityaṃ pañcopadhātītair mantrayet saha mantribhiḥ ||
Bhishma said: Having restrained intoxication and anger, and being free from pride and jealousy, a king should always conduct confidential counsel only with ministers who have risen beyond the five modes of deception—those arising from bodily action, speech, the mind, deliberate contrivance, and covert signals. The teaching is that the stability of kingship rests on secrecy and disciplined advisers: policy must be shaped in private by those whose character is not swayed by passion or rivalry, and who cannot be turned by trickery.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s confidential policy-making should be done only with ministers of disciplined character—those who have conquered intoxication and anger and are free from pride and jealousy—because secrecy and integrity in counsel are foundational to stable rule.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance, Bhishma teaches Yudhishthira principles of statecraft, emphasizing that the king must deliberate in secret with trustworthy ministers who are not susceptible to deception or inner vices.