Shloka 9
Śānti Parva 116: Criteria for Royal Servants and Administrative Competence (भृत्य-गुण-प्रश्नः / राजसेवक-लक्षणम्)
शंसिता पुरुषव्याप्र त्वन्न: कुलहिते रत: । क्षत्ता चैको महाप्राज्ञो यो न: शंसति सर्वदा
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: Śaṃsitā puruṣavyāghra tvam naḥ kulahite rataḥ | kṣattā caiko mahāprajño yo naḥ śaṃsati sarvadā ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai harimau di antara manusia, engkaulah yang setia menumpukan diri demi kebajikan keturunan kami; hanya engkau sahaja mampu memberikan nasihat seperti itu kepada kami. Dan ada juga Vidura, ketua istana—seorang yang tunggal lagi maha bijaksana—yang sentiasa menasihati kami demi kebaikan kami.”
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wise governance and righteous living depend on heeding trustworthy counsellors who are devoted to the family’s and kingdom’s welfare; Yudhiṣṭhira highlights the authority of such advisers, especially Vidura’s constant, beneficial instruction.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses an eminent adviser (‘tiger among men’) and acknowledges that, besides him, Vidura—the royal chamberlain renowned for wisdom—has continually offered sound guidance to the Pāṇḍavas.