Shloka 4

Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)

Devanagari script

नापरीक्ष्य महीपाल: सचिवं कर्तुमर्हति । अकुलीननराकीर्णो न राजा सुखमेधते

Transliteration

na parīkṣya mahīpālaḥ sacivaṃ kartum arhati | akulīnanarākīrṇo na rājā sukham edhate ||

Translation

Wika ni Bhishma: “Hindi nararapat na magtalaga ang hari ng isang ministro nang hindi muna sinusubok. Kapag ang pinuno ay napaliligiran ng mga taong hamak ang asal at marumi ang gawi, hindi siya magkakamit ng ligaya ni pag-unlad; humihina ang pamamahala dahil sa payong di-karapat-dapat.”

Word by Word

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• अपरीक्ष्य: without examining
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परीक्ष्
• Form: Absolutive (ktvā-lyap), indeclinable

• महीपालः: the king (protector of the earth)
• महीपालः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महीपाल
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• सचिवम्: a minister
• सचिवम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सचिव
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• कर्तुम्: to make/appoint
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Infinitive (tumun)

• अर्हति: is fit/ought
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह्
• Form: Present tense, parasmaipada, 3rd person, singular

• अकुलीननराकीर्णः: surrounded by low-born men
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अकुलीननराकीर्ण
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख
• Form: Neuter, accusative, singular

• एधते: prospers/thrives
• Type: Verb
• Root: एध्
• Form: Present tense, ātmanepada, 3rd person, singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• king (mahīpāla/rājā)
• minister (saciva)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler must appoint ministers only after careful examination; unworthy or ill-qualified associates undermine a king’s happiness and prosperity by corrupting counsel and administration.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rāja-dharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on principles of statecraft, emphasizing scrutiny and merit in choosing close advisers.