Shloka 7
अम्बा-शाल्वसंवादः | Amba’s Appeal to Śālva and His Refusal
मयाभिषिक्तो राजेन्द्र यवीयानपि धर्मत: । विचित्रवीर्यों धर्मात्मा मामेव समुदैक्षत,राजेन्द्र! छोटे होनेपर भी मेरे द्वारा अभिषिक्त होकर धर्मात्मा विचित्रवीर्य धर्मतः मेरी ही ओर देखा करते थे अर्थात् मेरी सम्मतिसे ही सारा राजकार्य करते थे
mayābhiṣikto rājendra yavīyān api dharmataḥ | vicitravīryo dharmātmā mām eva samudaikṣata |
O king, though he was younger, once I had consecrated him, the righteous Vichitravīrya—acting in accordance with dharma—looked to me alone for guidance; he conducted the affairs of the kingdom only with my assent.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is not merely a matter of age or power; it rests on dharma and proper consecration, and it is strengthened when a ruler governs through righteous counsel and deference to a guardian of the realm.
Bhishma recalls that after he installed the young Vichitravirya as king, Vichitravirya consistently deferred to Bhishma’s authority and sought his approval in administering the kingdom, indicating Bhishma’s role as guiding elder and effective regent.