Shloka 6
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
कुलीना देशजाः: प्राज्ञा रूपवन्तो बहुश्रुता: । प्रगल्भाश्चानुरक्ताश्न ते तव स्यु: परिच्छदा:,जो उत्तम कुल और अपने ही देशमें उत्पन्न हुए हों, बुद्धिमान, रूपवान्, बहुज्ञ, निर्भय और अनुरक्त हों, वे ही तुम्हारे परिच्छद (सेनापति आदि) होने चाहिये
kulīnā deśajāḥ prājñā rūpavanto bahuśrutāḥ | pragalbhāś cānuraktāś ca te tava syuḥ paricchadāḥ ||
Bhishma disse: “Que sejam teus servidores e tua comitiva — como comandantes e outros altos oficiais — aqueles que sejam de linhagem nobre e nascidos em tua própria terra: sábios, de bela aparência, versados no saber, audazes e devotados.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should appoint close attendants and key officers (including military leaders) who combine noble character and social credibility (kulīna), local rootedness (deśaja), competence and learning (prājña, bahuśruta), courage (pragalbha), and loyal commitment (anurakta).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance, Bhishma lays down criteria for selecting the king’s inner circle and functionaries, emphasizing both capability and trustworthy loyalty as foundations of stable rule.