Shloka 24

Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)

Devanagari script

देशकालविधानन्ञान्‌ भर्त॒कार्यहितैषिण: । नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजन्‌ कुर्वीत मन्त्रिण:

Transliteration

deśa-kāla-vidhāna-jñān bhartṛ-kārya-hitaiṣiṇaḥ | nityam artheṣu sarveṣu rājan kurvīta mantriṇaḥ ||

Translation

భీష్ముడు పలికెను—ఓ రాజా! మంత్రులు దేశ-కాల విధానాన్ని తెలిసినవారు, స్వామి కార్యహితాన్ని కోరేవారు, మరియు రాజ్యంలోని ప్రతి విషయంలోనూ నిత్యం ప్రయోజనసిద్ధి కలిగించే సలహాతో కార్యాచరణ చేసే వారై ఉండాలి.

Word by Word

देशकालविधानज्ञानान्those who know the rules of place and time

भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणःseeking the welfare of the king's affairs (their master's work)

नित्यम्always

अर्थेषुin matters/affairs

सर्वेषुin all

राजन्O king

कुर्वीतshould appoint/should employ/should make

मन्त्रिणःministers/counsellors

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

the King (rājan, addressed as Yudhiṣṭhira in context)

ministers (mantriṇaḥ)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler’s ministers must combine ethical intent (seeking the king’s duty and welfare) with situational discernment—knowing how to apply policy appropriately according to place and time—so that counsel remains both righteous and effective in all affairs.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship (rājadharma), Bhīṣma continues advising the king on governance, here describing the essential qualifications and constant responsibilities of ministers in managing state matters.