Shloka 3
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
अनुक्रोशं बल वीर्य प्रभावं प्रश्नयं क्षमाम् । भृत्या ये यत्र योग्या: स्युस्तत्र स्थाप्या: सुरक्षिता:
anukrośaṁ bala vīrya prabhāvaṁ praśnayaṁ kṣamām | bhṛtyā ye yatra yogyāḥ syus tatra sthāpyāḥ surakṣitāḥ ||
毗湿摩说：明智的君王应先察看臣仆之中是否具备悲悯、力量、勇武、威望、谦恭与忍让。继而分辨谁适合何种职分，便各授其任，使其得其所，并为之周备护卫与安保。如此治国方能既有效又合乎法度——以功德用人，并护持为国效劳之人。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must evaluate the inner qualities of subordinates—compassion, capability, courage, influence, humility, and patience—and then assign duties according to aptitude while ensuring their safety. Right appointment and protection of servants is presented as a key element of righteous governance (rājadharma).
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma is advising the king (Yudhishthira in the broader dialogue) on administrative ethics: how to select, place, and safeguard servants/officials so that the state functions justly and effectively.