Shloka 6
कण्वोपदेशः—नश्वरबलविवेकः तथा मातलिगुणकेश्याः आख्यानारम्भः
Kaṇva’s Counsel on Impermanent Power; Opening of the Mātali–Guṇakeśī Narrative
स सम नित्यं निशापाये प्रातरुत्थाय वीर्यवान् | ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियांश्वैव पृच्छन्नास्ते महारथ:,“वे महारथी और पराक्रमी नरेश प्रतिदिन रात बीतनेपर प्रातःकाल उठकर ब्राह्मणों और क्षत्रियोंसे इस प्रकार पूछा करते थे--
sa sama nityaṃ niśāpāye prātar utthāya vīryavān | brāhmaṇān kṣatriyāṃś caiva pṛcchann āste mahārathaḥ ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: كان ذلك المقاتل العظيم على العربة، القويّ البأس، إذا انقضى الليل نهض كلّ صباح، ثم جلس يسأل مستفهمًا البراهمة والكشاتريا معًا، يلتمس الإرشاد إلى السلوك القويم والواجبات اللائقة بمقاماتهم.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s strength is not only martial prowess but disciplined, daily consultation with learned and responsible members of society. Ethical governance is shown as a habit of inquiry—seeking dharma from Brahmins (scriptural/ethical insight) and Kshatriyas (practical statecraft and duty).
At daybreak, the heroic king/warrior rises and routinely questions Brahmins and Kshatriyas. The verse sets a scene of regular counsel and deliberation, preparing for the advice or discussion that follows in the chapter.