Shloka 4
निर्वेदोपदेशः (Nirveda-Upadeśa) — Maṅki’s Dispassion and the Limits of Wealth-Seeking
भगीरथरयथाक्रान्तदेशान् गड़ानिषेवितान् । ये चरन्ति महामीनास्तांश्व॒ तस्यान्वकल्पयत्
Bhagīratha-ratha-ākrānta-deśān gaṅgā-niṣevitān | ye caranti mahā-mīnāḥ tān ca tasyānvakalpayat ||
Bhīṣma said: In the tracts once traversed by King Bhagīratha’s chariot, where the Gaṅgā flows and great fish move about, the king took some of those fish and arranged provisions as food for Gautama, thus fulfilling his dharma of support and hospitality.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates rājadharma as practical responsibility: a ruler must ensure proper support and hospitality for worthy persons (here, Gautama), arranging resources ethically and efficiently from what is available in the realm.
Bhīṣma describes how, in regions associated with Bhagīratha and the Gaṅgā, large fish are found; the king procures some of these and makes arrangements so that Gautama has food—an example of dutiful royal provisioning.