Shloka 7
Bhṛtya-niyoga: Role-appropriate appointment of servants and protection of the royal treasury (भृत्यनियोगः कोशरक्षणं च)
कुलीनं शिक्षितं प्राज्ञ ज्ञानविज्ञानपारगम् । सर्वशान्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञं सहिष्णुं देशजं तथा
kulīnaṁ śikṣitaṁ prājñaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-pāragam | sarva-śāstrārtha-tattvajñaṁ sahiṣṇuṁ deśajaṁ tathā ||
毗湿摩说：因此，君王当以门第高贵、受教精良、智慧明达、兼通学识与实务判断、洞悉一切《沙斯特拉》(śāstra) 真义、能忍能让、且为本土之人为大臣。此等人的谋议能安定邦国，使政令与达摩(dharma)相应，并以学识、品德与坚忍抑制轻率躁进。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a king’s minister should be chosen for character and competence: noble conduct and reputation, solid education, wisdom, mastery of both theory (jñāna) and practical judgment (vijñāna), deep understanding of śāstric principles, patience, and rootedness in the land. Such qualities make counsel reliable and dharma-aligned.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma is advising Yudhiṣṭhira on governance. Here he begins listing the essential qualifications of a minister, emphasizing learning, discernment, endurance, and local belonging as foundations for sound administration.