Shloka 20
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
कोशाख्यपटलं यस्य कोशवृद्धिकरैनरि: । आप्तैस्तुष्टैश्न सततं चीयते स नृपोत्तम:
kośākhyapaṭalaṃ yasya kośavṛddhikarair naraḥ | āptais tuṣṭaiś ca satataṃ cīyate sa nṛpottamaḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: Raja yang terbaik antara para pemerintah ialah raja yang perbendaharaannya—terpelihara di bawah pentadbiran yang wajar—sentiasa bertambah melalui pegawai yang amanah dan berpuas hati, yang terus-menerus berusaha menambahkannya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s excellence is shown by stable, well-managed finances: the treasury should grow through continuous, lawful administration by trustworthy and contented officers—implying integrity, proper incentives, and vigilant oversight as pillars of good kingship.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on qualities of an ideal ruler, here emphasizing the importance of a steadily increasing treasury maintained by reliable, satisfied administrators.