Shloka 4
वसुमना नामक एक प्रसिद्ध राजा हो गये हैं, जो ज्ञानवान, धैर्यवान् और पवित्र आचार- विचारवाले थे। उन्होंने एक दिन तपस्वी महर्षि वामदेवजीसे पूछा-- ।। धर्मार्थसहितैर्वाक्यैर्भगवन्ननुशाधि माम् | येन वृत्तेन वै तिष्ठन् न हीयेय॑ं स्वधर्मत:,'भगवन्! मैं किस बर्तावका पालन करता रहूँ, जिससे अपने धर्मसे कभी न गिरूँ। आप अपने अर्थ और धर्मयुक्त वचनोंद्वारा मुझे इसी बातका उपदेश दीजिये”
bhīṣma uvāca | vasumanā nāmaka ekaḥ prasiddhaḥ rājā babhūva, yaḥ jñānavān dhairyavān ca pavitrācāra-vicāravān āsīt | sa kadācit tapasvinaṃ maharṣiṃ vāmadevaṃ papraccha— dharmārtha-sahitair vākyair bhagavan anuśādhi mām | yena vṛttena vai tiṣṭhan na hīyeyaṃ svadharmataḥ || bhagavan! ahaṃ kasya vṛttasya pālanaṃ kurvan tiṣṭheyam, yena svadharmāt kadācid api na cyaveyam; dharmārtha-yuktaiḥ vacobhir etad upadiśa ||
Bhishma said: There once arose a renowned king named Vasumana—wise, steadfast, and pure in conduct and thought. One day he approached the ascetic great seer Vāmadeva and asked: “O Blessed One, instruct me with words grounded in dharma and sound purpose. By what manner of living, if I remain established in it, will I never fall away from my own rightful duty? Teach me this with counsel that upholds both righteousness and true welfare.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central ethical inquiry: a ruler should seek a stable rule of conduct (vṛtta) that keeps him firmly established in svadharma. True instruction must integrate dharma (righteousness) with artha (practical welfare), so that moral duty and effective living support each other rather than conflict.
Bhishma introduces an exemplary episode: the famous king Vasumana, known for wisdom and purity, approaches the ascetic seer Vāmadeva and requests guidance. He asks for counsel—rooted in dharma and artha—about what way of life he should follow so he never falls from his rightful duty.