Shloka 57
Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)
आरुह्ा वा वेश्म तथैव शून्यं स्थलं प्रकाशं कुशकाशहीनम् । वागड्जदोषान् परिहृत्य सर्वान् सम्मन्त्रयेत् कार्यमहीनकालम्,महलके ऊपरी मंजिलपर चढ़कर अथवा सूने एवं खुले हुए समतल मैदानमें जहाँ कुश- कास--घास-पात बढ़े हुए न हों, ऐसी जगह बैठकर वाणी और शरीरके सारे दोषोंका परित्याग करके उपयुक्त समयमें भावी कार्यके सम्बन्धमें गुप्त विचार करना चाहिये
āruhya vā veśma tathaiva śūnyaṁ sthalaṁ prakāśaṁ kuśa-kāśa-hīnam | vāg-aṅga-doṣān parihṛtya sarvān sammantrayeta kāryam ahīna-kālam ||
आरुह्य वा वेश्म तथैव शून्यं स्थलं प्रकाशं कुशकाशहीनम् । वागङ्गदोषान् परिहृत्य सर्वान् सम्मन्त्रयेत् कार्यमहीनकाले ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before making plans, one should choose a suitable secluded setting, restrain faults of speech and bodily behavior, and deliberate confidentially at the right time—emphasizing self-discipline, discretion, and timely decision-making.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on principles of prudent governance and conduct; here he gives practical guidance on how and where confidential consultation about future actions should be carried out.