Shloka 103
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
धर्मात्मा कोषवांश्षापि देवराज इवापर: । द्युतिमानका पुत्र परम धर्मात्मा राजा सुवीर हुआ जो सम्पूर्ण लोकोंमें विख्यात था। वह धर्मात्मा, कोश (धन-भण्डार)-से सम्पन्न तथा दूसरे देवराज इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी था
dharmātmā kośavān śāpī devarāja ivāparaḥ | dyutimānaka-putraḥ parama-dharmātmā rājā suvīraḥ āsīt yaḥ samasta-lokeṣu vikhyātaḥ | sa dharmātmā kośa-sampannaḥ dvitīya-devarāja indra-sadṛśaḥ parākramī āsīt |
Bhishma said: There was a king named Suvīra, the illustrious son of Dyutimānaka, renowned throughout all the worlds. He was righteous in spirit, rich in treasury, and in valor like a second Indra—an exemplar of kingship grounded in dharma, prosperity, and protective strength.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of rulership: a king should be dharmic in character, materially capable through a well-maintained treasury, and strong enough to protect like Indra—showing that ethical governance is supported by both resources and disciplined power.
Bhishma introduces King Suvīra, identifying his lineage and fame, and characterizes him as righteous, wealthy, and exceptionally valorous—setting up Suvīra as a model figure within Bhishma’s instruction on conduct and governance.