Shloka 17
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
कुलीना वाक्यसम्पन्ना ज्ञानविज्ञानकोविदा: । रूपवन्तो गुणोपेतास्तथा5लुब्धा जितश्रमा:
kulīnā vākyasampannā jñānavijñānakovidāḥ | rūpavanto guṇopetās tathā alubdhā jitśramāḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Dapat piliin ng hari bilang mga kaibigan ang mga lalaking marangal ang angkan at bihasa sa pananalita; sanay sa kaalaman at sa wastong paghatol sa gawa; kaaya-aya ang anyo at hitik sa mga birtud; walang kasakiman at hindi napapagod sa pagsisikap. Ang ganitong mga kasama—tuwid, may kakayahan, at kagalang-galang—ay sumusuporta sa dharma ng hari sa pamamagitan ng mapagkakatiwalaang payo, matatag na paglilingkod, at pagpipigil sa sarili, hindi sa paghahangad ng pansariling pakinabang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should form close alliances only with people of proven character—noble conduct, articulate counsel, learned and practically wise, virtuous, non-greedy, and tireless—because such friends strengthen righteous governance and prevent corruption driven by self-interest.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader context) about the criteria for selecting trustworthy friends and associates, emphasizing moral and intellectual qualifications over mere advantage.