Shloka 6

Devanagari script

तमुत्तमेन शौचेन कर्मणा चाभिधारय,तुम पवित्र व्यवहार और उत्तम कर्मद्वारा अपने प्रति विदेहराजका विश्वास उत्पन्न करो। विदेहराज सत्यप्रतिज्ञ हैं; अतः वे तुम्हें अवश्य धन प्रदान करेंगे। यदि ऐसा हुआ तो तुम समस्त प्राणियोंके लिये प्रमाणभूत (विश्वासपात्र) तथा राजाकी दाहिनी बाँह हो जाओगे

Transliteration

tam uttamena śaucena karmaṇā cābhidhāraya

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “Win him over through the highest purity of conduct and through noble deeds. By such spotless behavior, awaken the Videha king’s trust in you. The king of Videha is true to his vows; therefore he will surely grant you wealth. If that happens, you will become a reliable standard for all beings and the king’s right arm—his foremost support in governance.”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'tam', 'definition': 'him (that person)'}, {'term': 'uttamena', 'definition': 'by the highest, best'}, {'term': 'śaucena', 'definition': 'purity, cleanliness

• moral purity of conduct'}, {'term': 'karmaṇā', 'definition': 'by action, deed

• by one’s work'}, {'term': 'ca', 'definition': 'and'}, {'term': 'abhidhāraya', 'definition': 'win over, secure, establish (confidence/attachment)

• cause to be well-disposed'}, {'term': 'Videharāja', 'definition': 'the king of Videha (Mithilā), i.e., Janaka in many contexts'}, {'term': 'satyapratijña', 'definition': 'true to one’s vow

• steadfast in truth and promise'}, {'term': 'dhana', 'definition': 'wealth, resources'}, {'term': 'pramāṇabhūta', 'definition': 'a standard/authority

• one who becomes a trustworthy exemplar'}, {'term': 'dakṣiṇā bāhuḥ', 'definition': 'the right arm

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Videharāja (King of Videha/Janaka)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Trust and authority are earned through śauca (inner and outer purity) and upright action; a ruler or patron who is satyapratijña will support such a person, who then becomes an exemplar (pramāṇa) and a pillar of governance.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma instructs the listener to secure the Videha king’s confidence through pure conduct and excellent deeds, assuring that the vow-true king will grant wealth and elevate the person to a position of trusted, right-hand support.