Shloka 5
विधिं पप्रच्छ राज्यस्य सर्वलोकहिते रत: । प्रजानां सुखमन्विच्छन् धर्मशीलं बृहस्पतिम्,राजा वसुमना सम्पूर्ण लोकोंके हितमें तत्पर रहनेवाले थे। वे विनय प्रकट करनेकी कलाको जानते थे। बृहस्पतिजीके आनेपर उन्होंने उठकर उनका अभिवादन किया और चरणप्रक्षालल आदि सारा विनयसम्बन्धी बर्ताव पूर्ण करके महर्षिकी परिक्रमा करनेके अनन्तर उन्होंने विधिपूर्वक उनके चरणोंमें मस्तक झुकाया। फिर प्रजाके सुखकी इच्छा रखते हुए राजाने धर्मशील बृहस्पतिसे राज्यसंचालनकी विधिके विषयमें इस प्रकार प्रश्न उपस्थित किया
bhīṣma uvāca | vidhiṁ papraccha rājyasya sarvalokahite rataḥ | prajānāṁ sukham anvicchan dharmaśīlaṁ bṛhaspatim ||
Bhishma said: Devoted to the welfare of all people, the king inquired about the proper method of governing the kingdom. Seeking the happiness of his subjects, he approached the righteous Brihaspati and asked him about the principles and procedures of statecraft—how rule should be conducted in accordance with dharma and for the common good.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kingship is justified and guided by dharma: the ruler should seek the happiness and welfare of the people and therefore consult the wise about the proper methods of governance rather than ruling by impulse or self-interest.
Bhishma describes a king devoted to public welfare approaching the sage Brihaspati and formally asking him how to administer the kingdom according to proper rule and righteous conduct.