Shloka 21
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
रूपवर्णस्वरोपेतस्तितिक्षुरनसूयक: । कुलीन: शीलसम्पन्न: स ते स्यात् प्रत्यनन्तर:
rūpavarṇasvaropetastitikṣuranasūyakaḥ | kulīnaḥ śīlasampannaḥ sa te syāt praty-anantaraḥ ||
Бхишма сказал: «Пусть главным твоим писцом, ближайшим в совете, будет тот, кто наделён приятной наружностью, хорошим цветом лица и сладкозвучным голосом; кто терпелив, свободен от придирок и зависти; благородного рода и добронравен».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler’s closest adviser should be chosen primarily for character: patience, freedom from envy and fault-finding, noble conduct, and refined speech—qualities that preserve trust, discretion, and ethical governance.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma (duties of kings), Bhīṣma is advising the king on selecting key officials, specifying the virtues required for the principal secretary who remains nearest in counsel.