Shloka 3
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अनुक्रोशं बल वीर्य प्रभावं प्रश्नयं क्षमाम् । भृत्या ये यत्र योग्या: स्युस्तत्र स्थाप्या: सुरक्षिता:
anukrośaṁ bala vīrya prabhāvaṁ praśnayaṁ kṣamām | bhṛtyā ye yatra yogyāḥ syus tatra sthāpyāḥ surakṣitāḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Ang marunong na hari ay dapat munang siyasatin sa kanyang mga lingkod ang habag, lakas, kagitingan, impluwensiya, kababaang-loob, at pagtitiis at pagpapatawad. Pagkatapos, kapag natukoy kung sino ang angkop sa alinmang tungkulin, italaga niya ang bawat isa sa gawaing nababagay sa kanya at tiyakin ang ganap na pag-iingat at kapanatagan ng kanilang kaligtasan. Sa gayon, ang pamamahala’y nagiging mabisa at matuwid—ang paglalagay ng tao ayon sa karapat-dapat at ang pag-iingat sa mga naglilingkod.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must evaluate the inner qualities of subordinates—compassion, capability, courage, influence, humility, and patience—and then assign duties according to aptitude while ensuring their safety. Right appointment and protection of servants is presented as a key element of righteous governance (rājadharma).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader dialogue) on administrative ethics: how to select, place, and safeguard servants/officials so that the state functions justly and effectively.