Shloka 2

धृतराष्ट्रस्य वंशोपदेशः

Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Dynastic Counsel on Legitimate Rule

Devanagari script

प्रातीप: शान्तनुस्तात कुलस्यार्थे यथा स्थित: । यथा देवब्रतो भीष्म: कुलस्यार्थे स्थितो5भवत्‌

Transliteration

Pratīpaḥ Śāntanus tāta kulasyārthe yathā sthitaḥ | yathā Devavrato Bhīṣmaḥ kulasyārthe sthito 'bhavat ||

Translation

Vāyu sprach: „Mein Lieber, wie Pratīpa und Śāntanu standhaft zum Wohl ihres Geschlechts standen, so nahm auch Devavrata—Bhīṣma—Stellung um der Kuru-Familie willen. Daran misst sich ihre Größe: Sie ordneten persönliches Begehren dem dauerhaften Wohl der Dynastie und ihrem Dharma unter.“

Word by Word

प्रातीपःPratipa (a king)

शान्तनुःŚāntanu

तातO dear / O father (term of address)

कुलस्यof the family/dynasty

अर्थेfor the sake (in the matter) of

यथाas / just as

स्थितःstood / remained / was stationed

यथाas / just as

देवव्रतःDevavrata (Bhīṣma)

भीष्मःBhīṣma

कुलस्यof the family/dynasty

अर्थेfor the sake of

स्थितःstood / remained

अभवत्was / became

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vāyudeva

Pratīpa

Śāntanu

Devavrata (Bhīṣma)

Kuru kula (dynasty)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

True nobility in dharma is shown by steadfastly prioritizing the welfare and moral continuity of one’s lineage/community over personal preference—exemplified by Pratīpa, Śāntanu, and especially Bhīṣma (Devavrata).

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva cites earlier Kuru exemplars to frame Bhīṣma’s conduct: he is being praised/held up as one who remained firmly committed to the Kuru family’s interest, in continuity with his royal ancestors.