Shloka 51
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
पाण्डुनन्दन! धर्मात्मा पुरुषोंमें जो विशेषरूपसे सम्पूर्ण विषयोंका ज्ञाता हो, उसीको मन्त्री बनावे और उसकी सुरक्षाका विशेष प्रबन्ध करे। प्रजाका विश्वास-पात्र और कुलीन राजा नरेशोंको वशमें करनेमें समर्थ होता है ।।
Pāṇḍunandana! dharmātmā puruṣeṣu yo viśeṣarūpase samasta-viṣayānāṃ jñātā bhavet, tam eva mantriṇaṃ kuryāt, tasya ca rakṣāyāḥ viśeṣa-prabandhaṃ vidadhyāt. Prajāyā viśvāsa-pātraḥ kulīnaś ca rājā nareśān vaśe kartum samartho bhavati. Vidhi-prayuktān naradeva-dharmān uktān samāsena nibodha, buddhā. Imān vidadhyād vyatisṛtya yo vai rājā mahīṃ pālayituṃ sa śaktaḥ.
Sabi ni Bhishma: “O anak ni Pandu, italaga mong ministro ang taong may matuwid na pagkatao at natatanging may alam sa lahat ng gawaing praktikal, at maglaan ng natatanging pag-iingat para sa kanyang kaligtasan. Ang haring marangal at pinagkakatiwalaan ng kanyang mga nasasakupan ay may kakayahang pasunurin ang iba pang mga hari. Ang mga tungkuling panghari na itinuturo ng śāstra at isinasagawa ayon sa wastong pamamaraan ay aking sinabi rito nang maikli; unawain mo ito nang malinaw at itanim sa puso. Ang haring natututo nito sa guro, mahigpit na iniingatan sa dibdib, at isinasabuhay, siya ang tunay na makapagtatanggol sa lupa (sa kanyang kaharian).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should appoint a uniquely competent and righteous minister, ensure that minister’s security, and rule through śāstra-guided royal duties; trustworthiness and noble conduct build public confidence and political strength.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, summarizing key kingly duties and emphasizing that learning them properly (from a teacher) and practicing them is what enables a ruler to protect and govern the realm.