Shloka 10

Vyavahāra-Śuddhi and Rājadharma: Clean Administration, Counsel, and Proportional Punishment

Chapter 86

Devanagari script

श्रुतिस्मृतिसमायुक्तं विनीतं समदर्शिनम्‌ । कार्य विवदमानानां शक्तमर्थेष्वलोलुपम्‌

Transliteration

śrutismṛtisamāyuktaṃ vinītaṃ samadarśinam | kārya-vivadamānānāṃ śaktam artheṣv alolupam ||

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“（国王应任命为谋臣者）当通达天启与传统（śruti 与 smṛti），行止有戒，观人无偏，能裁决有关法度与政务之争讼，并于财利得失之际远离贪欲。”

Word by Word

• श्रुति-स्मृति-समायुक्तम्: endowed with (knowledge of) śruti and smṛti
• श्रुति-स्मृति-समायुक्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रुति + स्मृति + समायुक्त
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• विनीतम्: well-disciplined, humble
• विनीतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनीत (नी धातु, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• समदर्शिनम्: impartial, seeing equally
• समदर्शिनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समदर्शिन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• कार्ये: in a matter/case (to be done)
• कार्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्य
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• विवदमानानाम्: of disputing (persons)
• विवदमानानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विवदमान (वि+वद् धातु, शतृ)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• शक्तम्: capable, competent
• शक्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्त (शक् धातु, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अर्थेषु: in matters/affairs
• अर्थेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Plural

• अलोलुपम्: not greedy, non-covetous
• अलोलुपम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलोलुप
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A king’s counsellor should unite scriptural learning (śruti–smṛti) with character: discipline, impartiality, practical competence in resolving disputes, and freedom from greed—so that policy and justice are guided by dharma rather than self-interest.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on kingship, Bhīṣma lays down criteria for selecting advisers. This verse highlights the personal and ethical qualifications expected of a key minister or judge-like counsellor in the royal council.