Shloka 17
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
धीरो मर्षी शुचिस्तीक्षण: काले पुरुषकारवित् । शुश्रूषु: श्रुववान् श्रोता ऊहापोहविशारद:
dhīro marṣī śucis tīkṣṇaḥ kāle puruṣakāravit | śuśrūṣuḥ śrutavān śrotā ūhāpohaviśāradaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“国王应当心志沉稳而能忍，内在清净；而当时势所迫，又须坚决果断、锋利有断。应明了人之真实努力与进取；乐于聆听并奉事贤者；能由所闻而得学；作为听者专注不怠；并精于推求辨析之理——能权衡诸途，分辨真伪，去取得失。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma outlines the ideal traits of a ruler: inner purity and patience, firmness when circumstances require it, respect for counsel and learning, and sharp discernment to judge arguments and choose the right course in governance.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira about the standards and competencies a king must cultivate to rule justly and effectively.