Shloka 63
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
राज्ञे भोजकटस्थाय महामात्राय धीमते । भीष्मकाय स धर्मात्मा साक्षादिन्द्रसखाय वै
rājñe bhojakaṭasthāya mahāmātrāya dhīmate | bhīṣmakāya sa dharmātmā sākṣād indrasakhāya vai ||
Sahadeva sprach: „Zu dem König, der in Bhojakaṭa weilte — zu dem weisen Großminister Bhīṣmaka — redete jener rechtschaffene Mann, als spräche er unmittelbar zu Indras Gefährten.“
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical governance and the ideal of a dharmic statesman: a wise high official (mahāmātra) is addressed with respect, and righteousness (dharmātmā) is presented as the defining quality that lends authority and credibility to counsel in royal affairs.
Sahadeva refers to an address made to Bhīṣmaka—described as a king at Bhojakaṭa and a wise high minister—emphasizing the stature of the person spoken to and the directness and weight of the communication, likened to speaking in person to Indra’s own companion.