Shloka 27
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
कुलप्रकृतिदेशानां धर्मज्ञान् मृदुभाषिण: । मध्ये वयसि निर्दोषान् हिते युक्तानविक्लवान्
kulaprakṛtideśānāṁ dharmajñān mṛdubhāṣiṇaḥ | madhye vayasi nirdoṣān hite yuktān aviklavan |
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Dapat ipagkatiwala ng hari ang lahat ng kanyang gawain sa mga taong nakauunawa sa mga tungkulin at kaugaliang batas ng angkan, likas na ugali, at lupain; mahinahon magsalita; malinis ang asal noong kabataan; masigasig sa kapakinabangan at hindi natitinag ng takot o pagkabalisa. Ang gayong mga tao—walang kasakiman, mahusay na sinanay, may pagpipigil-sa-sarili, matatag sa dharma, at kayang mag-ingat kapwa ng katuwiran at ng kaginhawang materyal—ang nararapat gamitin sa bawat tungkuling panghari.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should appoint to public responsibilities only those whose character and competence are proven: they know dharma as shaped by lineage and local custom, speak gently, have a clean record, pursue the common good, remain steady under pressure, and are not driven by greed.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhishma continues advising the king on statecraft—here specifying the moral and practical qualifications of trusted officials and agents to whom royal work should be delegated.