Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
दशाश्वका पुत्र भी बड़ा धर्मात्मा राजा था। उसका मन सदा सत्य, तपस्या और दानमें ही लगा रहता था ।।
madirāśvaḥ iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpatiḥ | dhanurvede ca vede ca nirato yo ’bhavat sadā ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন—এই পৃথিবীতে মদিরাশ্ব নামে এক রাজা প্রসিদ্ধ ছিলেন। তিনি সর্বদা বেদ ও ধনুর্বেদের সাধনায় নিবিষ্ট থাকতেন।
भीष्म उवाच
An ideal ruler integrates spiritual-ethical learning (Veda) with disciplined martial competence (Dhanurveda). Renown is grounded not merely in power but in steady commitment to knowledge and self-control.
Bhishma introduces a king named Madirāśva, describing him as famous on earth and consistently devoted to studying both the Veda and the martial science of archery, setting up an exemplar of righteous kingship.