Shloka 9
मयूरवद्राजधर्मः (Mayūra-vat Rāja-dharma) — The Peacock-Model of Protective Kingship
साधव: कुलजा: शूरा ज्ञानवन्तो5नसूयका: । अक्षद्रा: शुचयो दक्षा:स्युर्नरा: पारिपाश्वका:
bhīṣma uvāca | sādhavaḥ kulajāḥ śūrā jñānavanto 'nasūyakāḥ | akṣadrāḥ śucayo dakṣāḥ syur narāḥ pāripārśvakāḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Let the king appoint as his close attendants those men who are virtuous, well-born, and valiant; who possess discernment and are free from envy; who are not given to gambling, are pure in conduct, and are efficient in action. Such men, standing near the ruler, safeguard the realm by their character as much as by their competence.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that a king’s inner circle should be chosen by moral and practical qualifications: virtue, good lineage and courage, wisdom without envy, freedom from gambling, purity, and competence. Such attendants protect the king and the state by preventing corruption, intrigue, and reckless habits.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on governance. Here he specifies the traits required in those who remain close to the king—his side-attendants and courtiers—so that the ruler’s decisions and administration are supported by trustworthy, disciplined, and capable people.