Shloka 55

Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)

Devanagari script

एवं सदा मन्त्रयितव्यमाहु- यें मन्त्रतत्त्वार्थविनिश्चयज्ञा: | तस्मात्‌ तमेवं प्रणयेत्‌ सदैव मन्त्र प्रजासंग्रहणे समर्थम्‌,मन्त्रतत्त्वके अर्थका निश्चयात्मक ज्ञान रखनेवाले विद्वान कहते हैं कि सदा इसी तरह मन्त्रणा करे और जो विचार प्रजाको अपने अनुकूल बनानेमें अधिक प्रबल जान पड़े, सर्वदा उसे ही काममें ले

Transliteration

evaṁ sadā mantrayitavyam āhur ye mantratattvārthaviniścayajñāḥ | tasmāt tam evaṁ praṇayet sadaiva mantraṁ prajāsaṅgrahaṇe samartham ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “Those who truly understand the principles and purposes of counsel declare that deliberation should always be conducted in this manner. Therefore, one should constantly employ that kind of counsel—and that counsellor—who is most capable of winning over and holding together the people. For the stability of the realm rests on sound deliberation and on guidance that can secure the loyalty and cohesion of the subjects.”

Word by Word

• {'evaṁ': 'thus, in this manner', 'sadā': 'always, continually', 'mantrayitavyam': 'should be deliberated

• counsel ought to be taken (gerundive of √mantr)', 'āhuḥ': 'they say, they declare', 'ye': 'those who', 'mantra': 'counsel

• statecraft advice', 'tattva': 'principle

• essential truth', 'artha': 'purpose

• practical aim', 'viniścaya': 'ascertainment

• firm determination', 'jñāḥ': 'knowers

• experts', 'tasmāt': 'therefore', 'tam': 'him

• that person (the counsellor)', 'praṇayet': 'one should employ/engage

• one should lead/bring into use (optative/vidhi sense)', 'sadaiva': 'always indeed

• at all times', 'prajā': 'subjects

• the people', 'saṅgrahaṇa': 'gathering, unifying, securing allegiance

• maintaining cohesion', 'samartham': 'capable, competent, powerful (in accomplishing the task)'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler should consistently deliberate according to sound principles of counsel and rely on advisers whose guidance can effectively secure the unity, loyalty, and welfare of the people; good governance depends on both wise deliberation and the ability to consolidate the subjects.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma, emphasizing the proper method of consultation and the practical criterion for choosing counsel—its effectiveness in maintaining public cohesion and support.