Shloka 55

Mantri-Parīkṣā — Testing Ministers, Securing Counsel, and Ethical Criteria for Advisers (अध्याय ८४)

Devanagari script

एवं सदा मन्त्रयितव्यमाहु- यें मन्त्रतत्त्वार्थविनिश्चयज्ञा: | तस्मात्‌ तमेवं प्रणयेत्‌ सदैव मन्त्र प्रजासंग्रहणे समर्थम्‌

Transliteration

evaṁ sadā mantrayitavyam āhur ye mantratattvārthaviniścayajñāḥ | tasmāt tam evaṁ praṇayet sadaiva mantraṁ prajāsaṅgrahaṇe samartham ||

Translation

毗湿摩说：“洞明议政之原则与旨趣的贤者皆言：谋议当恒依此法而行。故当常用此等谋议——并常用此等谋臣——其最能收揽民心、凝聚众庶者。因为邦国之安固，系于健全的审议，亦系于能确保臣民忠诚与合一的引导。”

Word by Word

• {'evaṁ': 'thus, in this manner', 'sadā': 'always, continually', 'mantrayitavyam': 'should be deliberated

• counsel ought to be taken (gerundive of √mantr)', 'āhuḥ': 'they say, they declare', 'ye': 'those who', 'mantra': 'counsel

• statecraft advice', 'tattva': 'principle

• essential truth', 'artha': 'purpose

• practical aim', 'viniścaya': 'ascertainment

• firm determination', 'jñāḥ': 'knowers

• experts', 'tasmāt': 'therefore', 'tam': 'him

• that person (the counsellor)', 'praṇayet': 'one should employ/engage

• one should lead/bring into use (optative/vidhi sense)', 'sadaiva': 'always indeed

• at all times', 'prajā': 'subjects

• the people', 'saṅgrahaṇa': 'gathering, unifying, securing allegiance

• maintaining cohesion', 'samartham': 'capable, competent, powerful (in accomplishing the task)'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler should consistently deliberate according to sound principles of counsel and rely on advisers whose guidance can effectively secure the unity, loyalty, and welfare of the people; good governance depends on both wise deliberation and the ability to consolidate the subjects.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira on rajadharma, emphasizing the proper method of consultation and the practical criterion for choosing counsel—its effectiveness in maintaining public cohesion and support.