Shloka 17
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
धीरो मर्षी शुचिस्तीक्षण: काले पुरुषकारवित् । शुश्रूषु: श्रुववान् श्रोता ऊहापोहविशारद:
dhīro marṣī śucis tīkṣṇaḥ kāle puruṣakāravit | śuśrūṣuḥ śrutavān śrotā ūhāpohaviśāradaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang hari ay dapat maging matatag ang isip at mapagtiis, dalisay sa kalooban; at kapag hinihingi ng panahon, maging matigas at matalas sa pasya. Dapat niyang maunawaan ang tunay na pagsisikap at pagkukusa ng tao; sabik makinig at maglingkod sa marurunong; matuto sa mga narinig; maging masusing tagapakinig; at bihasa sa paghimay ng katuwiran—marunong tumimbang ng mga pagpipilian at magbukod ng tama sa mali.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma outlines the ideal traits of a ruler: inner purity and patience, firmness when circumstances require it, respect for counsel and learning, and sharp discernment to judge arguments and choose the right course in governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the standards and competencies a king must cultivate to rule justly and effectively.