Shloka 21
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
संगृहीतजनो<स्तब्ध: प्रसन्नचदन: सदा । सदा भृत्यजनापेक्षी न क्रोधी सुमहामना:,अच्छे मनुष्योंका संग्रह करे, जडताको त्याग दे, सदा प्रसन्नमुख रहे, सेवकोंका सदा ख्याल रखे, किसीपर क्रोध न करे, अपना हृदय विशाल बनाये रखे
saṅgṛhītajano 'stabdhaḥ prasannavadanaḥ sadā | sadā bhṛtyajanāpekṣī na krodhī sumahāmanāḥ ||
Bhishma mengajarkan bahawa seorang pemimpin hendaklah menghimpun dan mengekalkan orang-orang baik, meninggalkan kekakuan yang tumpul, dan sentiasa berwajah ceria. Hendaklah peka terhadap keperluan para hamba dan tanggungan, tidak melampiaskan kemarahan kepada sesiapa, serta memelihara hati yang luas dan pemurah—demi mengekalkan keharmonian dan pemerintahan yang berlandaskan dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler or responsible person should cultivate people through kindness and steadiness: be approachable (not rigid or arrogant), keep a pleasant demeanor, care for servants and dependents, avoid anger, and remain magnanimous—these traits preserve loyalty and dharmic order.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Bhishma is advising Yudhishthira on the qualities of an ideal leader—how to relate to people, manage temperament, and sustain a harmonious household or kingdom.