Shloka 7
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
ततः स राजा मतिमान् मत्वा55त्मानं वयोडथधिकम् | मन्त्रयामास सचिवेर्धर्मजैश्व पुरोहितैः
tataḥ sa rājā matimān matvā ātmānaṃ vayodhikam | mantrayāmāsa sacivair dharmajñaiś ca purohitaiḥ ||
Then that wise king, judging himself to have grown advanced in years, took counsel with his ministers—men who knew dharma—and with his household priests, seeking a course of action aligned with righteousness and prudent governance.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should recognize life’s stages and, when age advances, act with humility and prudence by seeking guidance from dharma-knowing counselors and learned priests, so that decisions remain aligned with righteousness rather than personal impulse.
Markandeya narrates that the king, realizing he is now old, begins deliberations and consults his ministers and purohitas to decide the proper next steps—implying a transition or major decision requiring dharmic counsel.