Shloka 11
Adhyāya 174: Karma as an inescapable companion (कर्मानुगमन-उपदेश)
राजधर्मा बकः: प्राह प्रणिपत्य पुरन्दरम् । यदि तेअनुग्रहकृता मयि बुद्धि: सुरेश्वर
rājadharmā bakaḥ prāha praṇipatya purandaram | yadi te 'nugrahakṛtā mayi buddhiḥ sureśvara ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Baka, der in den Pflichten des Königtums bewandert war, sagte, nachdem er sich vor Purandara (Indra) verneigt hatte: ‚O Herr der Götter, wenn durch deine Gunst in mir rechte Einsicht erwacht ist …‘“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames sound political-ethical judgment (rāja-dharma and buddhi) as something strengthened by humility and receptivity to higher guidance: one bows, acknowledges dependence on divine favor, and seeks clarity before acting or advising.
Bhīṣma introduces a remembered speech: Baka, described as knowledgeable in royal duty, approaches Indra (Purandara) with reverence and begins a conditional request—stating that if Indra’s grace has granted him understanding, he will proceed to speak/ask accordingly.