Shloka 23
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
ऋच्विग्वा यदि वा5<चार्य: सखा वात्यन्तसंस्तुत: । गृहे वसेदमात्यस्ते स स्थात् परमपूजित:
ṛcigvā yadi vā ācāryaḥ sakhā vātyantasaṁstutaḥ | gṛhe vased amātyas te sa syāt paramapūjitaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Maging siya man ang iyong ṛtvij (pari ng handog), ang iyong ācārya (guro), o isang kaibigang lubhang pinupuri—kung siya’y karapat-dapat sa pagtupad ng mga gawain, likás na mahabagin, at nananatiling walang masamang loob kahit parangalan o hamakin—hayaan siyang manirahan sa iyong sambahayan bilang ministro. Ipagkaloob mo sa kanya ang pinakamataas na paggalang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should appoint as minister a person of proven virtue—compassionate, capable, and free from resentment in honor or insult—and then honor such a counsellor highly, especially when he is a priest, teacher, or eminent friend.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on governance and dharma, Bhīṣma advises the listener on whom to keep close in the household as a trusted minister and how such a person should be treated.