ते those ministers, व्यवहारेषु in their dealings, कुशला: competent, सौहृदेषु in friendship, परीक्षिता: tested, सुतेष्वपि even in the matter of sons, प्राप्तकालम् appropriately, दण्डम् punishment, धारयेयु: used to impose.

They knew how to deal (with people). They were true to their friends. They used to impose appropriate punishment even on their own sons.