Shloka 50
राजधर्मः—प्रमादवर्जनं, दण्डनीतिः, दुर्बलरक्षणम्
Royal Dharma: Vigilance, Just Punishment, Protection of the Vulnerable
अभिरूपै: कुले जातैर्दक्षेर्भक्तिर्बहुशुतैः । सर्वा बुद्धी: परीक्षेथास्तापसाश्रमिणामपि
abhirūpaiḥ kule jātair dakṣair bhaktir bahuśrutaiḥ | sarvā buddhīḥ parīkṣethās tāpasāśramiṇām api ||
Sinabi ni Utathya: “Makisama ka sa mga ministrong kaaya-aya ang anyo, marangal ang angkan, mahusay sa gawain, tapat sa hari, at maraming nalalaman; at maging sa mga asetang mapagpigil at sa mga naninirahan sa mga ashram, siyasatin mong lubos ang lawak ng kanilang pag-unawa at mga layunin.”
उतथ्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should choose close advisers with good qualities—competence, learning, loyalty, and good conduct—and should not accept anyone’s counsel untested; even ascetics and hermitage-dwellers must be evaluated for sound judgment and true intent.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on righteous governance, Utathya gives practical guidance on selecting and scrutinizing those whose opinions influence policy, extending this scrutiny beyond court officials to religious figures as well.