Shloka 51
Daṇḍa-svarūpa-nirūpaṇa
The Nature, Forms, and Function of Daṇḍa
पाण्डुनन्दन! धर्मात्मा पुरुषोंमें जो विशेषरूपसे सम्पूर्ण विषयोंका ज्ञाता हो, उसीको मन्त्री बनावे और उसकी सुरक्षाका विशेष प्रबन्ध करे। प्रजाका विश्वास-पात्र और कुलीन राजा नरेशोंको वशमें करनेमें समर्थ होता है ।।
Pāṇḍunandana! dharmātmā puruṣeṣu yo viśeṣarūpase samasta-viṣayānāṃ jñātā bhavet, tam eva mantriṇaṃ kuryāt, tasya ca rakṣāyāḥ viśeṣa-prabandhaṃ vidadhyāt. Prajāyā viśvāsa-pātraḥ kulīnaś ca rājā nareśān vaśe kartum samartho bhavati. Vidhi-prayuktān naradeva-dharmān uktān samāsena nibodha, buddhā. Imān vidadhyād vyatisṛtya yo vai rājā mahīṃ pālayituṃ sa śaktaḥ.
毗湿摩说：“噢，般度之子，当以品行端正、通达诸般政务之人立为大臣，并为其安危作特别护持。出身高贵、为民所信之王，足以使诸侯归服。我已在此略述经论（śāstra）所教、依正法程序施行的王者之职；当以澄明之心领会，铭刻于怀。君王若从师受学，牢牢存于心中，并付诸实行，方能真正守护大地——亦即守护其国土。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king should appoint a uniquely competent and righteous minister, ensure that minister’s security, and rule through śāstra-guided royal duties; trustworthiness and noble conduct build public confidence and political strength.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, summarizing key kingly duties and emphasizing that learning them properly (from a teacher) and practicing them is what enables a ruler to protect and govern the realm.