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 disse: “Aqueles que são humildes, devotados ao dever, de temperamento sereno, perspicazes e capazes; dotados de qualidades auspiciosas inatas; e sem culpa em seus postos designados—somente esses são aptos a servir aos reis como assistentes externos e agentes.”
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.