Verse 7.57

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

तेषां स्वं स्वमभिप्रायमुपलभ्य पृथक् पृथक् ।
समस्तानां च कार्येषु विदध्याद्द् हितमात्मनः ॥ ५७ ॥

teṣāṃ svaṃ svamabhiprāyamupalabhya pṛthak pṛthak |
samastānāṃ ca kāryeṣu vidadhyādd hitamātmanaḥ || 57 ||

Having ascertained the opinion of each of the ministers individually and also collectively, he shall, in his affairs, do what is beneficial to himself.—(57)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

Having ascertained in private the opinion of each of them—the opinion entertained by them in his heart of hearts—also ‘collectively’;—he shall do this because some people are shy in assemblies, but bold in private, while others are more fit in assemblies; hence he shall question the ministers collectively also.

After that he shall do whatever appears to him to be most proper —‘beneficial to himself’; be it what one of the ministers themselves may have advised, and had not been opposed by others; and hence indicated to be free from objections.—(57)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 178);—in Parāśaramādhava‘ (Ācāra, p. 406);—and in Nītimayūkha (p. 53).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Kātyāyana (Vīramitrodaya-Rājanīti, p. 178).—‘In a kingdom when ministers, courtiers and physicians are given to flattery, the king shall certainly lose his kingdom, his righteousness and his happiness. The king shall not evince displeasure at anything that they say; because it is their duty to say what is right and according to law.’

Kāmandaka (11.77).—‘A king seeking his own welfare should discuss the subject of consultation severally with each of his ministers; after which he should take into serious consideration the opinion expressed by each.’