Shloka 52
हरिश्वन्द्रो मरुत्तश्न तथा दृढरथो नृप:ः । महोदर्यो हालर्कश्न॒ ऐलश्वैव नराधिप:
hariścandro maruttaś ca tathā dṛḍharatho nṛpaḥ | mahodaryo hālarkaś ca ailaś caiva narādhipaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Hear also the names of these royal seers—King Hariścandra, Marutta, and the steadfast chariot-warrior King Dṛḍharatha; Mahodarya, Hālarka, and likewise Aila (Purūravas), lord of men.” Here Bhīṣma continues a sacred catalogue of exemplary rulers, teaching that disciplined remembrance and recitation of such names is meritorious and aligned with dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse supports the dharmic idea that remembering and reciting the names of exemplary rulers—figures associated with truth, sacrifice, and steadfastness—cultivates moral orientation and earns religious merit (puṇya), reinforcing ideals of righteous kingship.
Bhīṣma continues an extended enumeration of celebrated royal seers in the Anuśāsana Parva, presenting them as models of virtue and as a sacred list suitable for remembrance/recitation.