Shloka 23
अध्याय ५७ — राज्ञः नित्यप्रयत्नः, रक्षा-प्रधानता, तथा त्याग-नीतिः
Chapter 57: Constant Royal Vigilance, Primacy of Protection, and Principles of Dismissal
शूरान् भक्तानसंहार्यान् कुले जातानरोगिण: । शिष्टान् शिष्टाभिसम्बन्धान्मानिनो$नवमानिन:
bhīṣma uvāca |
śūrān bhaktān asaṃhāryān kule jātān aroginaḥ |
śiṣṭān śiṣṭābhisambandhān mānino ’navamāninaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“国王应当选取为常辅者：勇敢而忠诚、敌人不能摧折者；出身良族而体健者；有教养并与有教养之士相交者；自重而不辱人者。如此之人——安住于达摩，博学明达，通晓世务，警觉敌之动向，内怀高洁，坚固如山——当以富贵相酬，并赐与几同王者之安乐。唯有两点使国王高于他们：王伞之徽与发号施令之权。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that a king’s strength rests on selecting and honoring aides of proven courage, loyalty, good conduct, learning, and social refinement—men who keep their dignity without humiliating others—and that such helpers should be rewarded almost like the king, with only royal insignia and command marking the king’s higher station.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on rajadharma, Bhishma advises Yudhishthira on how a ruler should appoint and treat close assistants: identify virtuous, steadfast supporters and secure their loyalty through respect, prosperity, and near-equal comfort, while maintaining the king’s unique symbols of sovereignty.