Shloka 4
अम्बा-शाल्वसंवादः | Amba’s Appeal to Śālva and His Refusal
महाराजो मम पिता शान्तनुर्लोकविश्रुत: । दिष्टान्तमाप धर्मात्मा समये भरतर्षभ
mahārājo mama pitā śāntanur lokaviśrutaḥ | diṣṭāntam āpa dharmātmā samaye bharatarṣabha ||
Bhīṣma sprach: «Mein Vater, der große König Śāntanu, in der ganzen Welt berühmt, erreichte sein ihm bestimmtes Ende. Da, o Stier unter den Bhāratas, setzte ich in treuer Wahrung meines Gelübdes meinen Bruder Citrāṅgada durch die Weihe auf dieses große Reich.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as fidelity to one’s solemn vow: Bhīṣma frames righteous conduct as steadfastly upholding a promise even at critical political moments like royal succession.
Bhīṣma recounts that after King Śāntanu’s death, he honored his own pledge and ensured orderly succession by installing his brother Citrāṅgada as king of the realm.