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Currently viewing: Parva 12 - Chapter 12.84 (54 verses)
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Chapter 12.84 - Verse 47

Sanskrit Text

मन्त्रग्राहा हि राज्यस्य मन्त्रिणो ये मनीषिणः मन्त्रसंहननो राजा मन्त्राङ्गानीतरो जनः

English Translation

Ministers should act in such a way that the enemies of their master may not be able to detect his loopholes. On the other hand, when their shortcomings are seen, they should then be assailed. Like the tortoise protecting its limbs by withdrawing them within its shell, ministers should keep close their own counsels. They should, even thus, conceal their own short-comings. Those ministers of a kingdom, who succeed in keeping their counsels close, are said to be wise. Counsels are the armour of a king, and the limbs are his subjects and officers.

Padaccheda (Word Analysis)

मन्त्र + ग्राह | हि | राज्यस्य | मन्त्रिणो | ये | मनीषिणः
मन्त्र + संहनन | राजा | मन्त्र + अङ्ग + इतर | जनः