Shloka 21
Chapter 81: Trust, Allies, and the Qualifications of the King’s Artha-Secretary (अर्थसचिव)
रूपवर्णस्वरोपेतस्तितिक्षुरनसूयक: । कुलीन: शीलसम्पन्न: स ते स्यात् प्रत्यनन्तर:
rūpavarṇasvaropetastitikṣuranasūyakaḥ | kulīnaḥ śīlasampannaḥ sa te syāt praty-anantaraḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“当任命为你首席书记、议事时最亲近的侍从者，应是那位仪容悦目、肤色端好、声音甘美之人；能忍耐，不好挑剔，亦无嫉妒；出身高门，德行具足。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that a ruler’s closest adviser should be chosen primarily for character: patience, freedom from envy and fault-finding, noble conduct, and refined speech—qualities that preserve trust, discretion, and ethical governance.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma (duties of kings), Bhīṣma is advising the king on selecting key officials, specifying the virtues required for the principal secretary who remains nearest in counsel.