Shloka 10
मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship
न्यग्भूतास्तत्परा: शान्ताश्वौक्षा: प्रकृतिजै: शुभा: । स्वस्थानानपक्ुष्टा ये ते स्यू राज्ञां बहिश्वचरा:
nyagbhūtās tatparāḥ śāntāś caukṣāḥ prakṛtijaiḥ śubhāḥ | svasthānān apakuṣṭā ye te syū rājñāṃ bahiścarāḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Mereka yang rendah hati, tekun pada tugas, tenang perangainya, tajam pertimbangan dan berkeupayaan; dikurniai sifat-sifat baik yang semula jadi; serta tidak tercela dalam jawatan masing-masing—merekalah sahaja yang layak menjadi pembantu luar dan ejen raja.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that those entrusted with a king’s external service or agency must be humble, duty-focused, calm, discerning, naturally virtuous, and of spotless reputation in their own office; moral character and competence are prerequisites for proximity to royal power.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on righteous governance. Here he specifies the qualities required for outward-facing royal attendants/agents, emphasizing disciplined temperament and blameless conduct as safeguards for the kingdom.