Shloka 23
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
मृदुशीलं तथा प्राज्ञं शूरं चार्थविधानवित् । स्वकर्मणि नियुञ्जीत ये चान्ये च बलाधिका:
mṛduśīlaṃ tathā prājñaṃ śūraṃ cārthavidhānavit | svakarmaṇi niyuñjīta ye cānye ca balādhikāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：懂得成事之道的国王，应按其职分任用性情温和者、智慧明达者与英勇无畏者；亦当起用其他在力量上更为卓越之人。其义在于：治国之成，在于依品性、才干、勇气与承担之力分派职责，而非凭私恩偏爱。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should assign duties based on suitability—gentleness for humane dealings, wisdom for counsel and judgment, heroism for protection and enforcement, and superior strength where force is required—so that the state’s aims are achieved through appropriate means.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma advises Yudhiṣṭhira on practical governance: selecting and appointing capable individuals to specific tasks, emphasizing competence and fitness for role as a principle of righteous rule.