Shloka 1
Śakra–Śambara Saṃvāda: Brāhmaṇa-sevā, Anasūyā, and Vāg-bala (शक्रशम्बरसंवादः)
अपने-आप बछ। आर: त्रयस्त्रिंशो5 ध्याय: ब्राह्मणके महत्त्वका वर्णन युधिछिर उवाच कि राज्ञ: सर्वकृत्यानां गरीय: स्यात् पितामह । कुर्वन् कि कर्म नृपतिरुभी लोकौ समश्लुते,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--पितामह! राजाके सम्पूर्ण कृत्योंमें किसका महत्त्व सबसे अधिक है? किस कर्मका अनुष्ठान करनेवाला राजा इहलोक और परलोक दोनोंमें सुखी होता है?
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kiṁ rājñaḥ sarvakṛtyānāṁ garīyaḥ syāt pitāmaha | kurvan kiṁ karma nṛpatir ubhau lokau samaśnute ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Grandfather, among all the duties of a king, which is the most weighty and paramount? By performing what kind of action does a ruler secure well-being in both worlds—here and hereafter?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central inquiry of rājadharma: among a ruler’s many responsibilities, there is a supreme duty whose faithful performance brings welfare in both this life and the next. It sets up Bhīṣma’s instruction on prioritizing dharma in governance.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, questions the elder Bhīṣma (Pitāmaha) about the most important royal duty—asking which action ensures prosperity and spiritual good in both worlds.