Shloka 6
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
त॑ कदाचिददीनात्मा सखा शक्रस्य मानित: । अभ्यगच्छन्महीपालो मान्धाता शत्रुकर्शन:
taṁ kadācid adīnātmā sakhā śakrasya mānitaḥ | abhyagacchan mahīpālo māndhātā śatrukarśanaḥ ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: En cierta ocasión, el rey Māndhātā—de ánimo firme, jamás abatido, honrado por Śakra (Indra) como amigo y célebre por doblegar a sus enemigos—se acercó a él. Este episodio presenta a Māndhātā como un soberano cuyo mérito no se mide sólo por la victoria, sino también por la estima de los dioses, insinuando que la realeza verdadera descansa tanto en la fortaleza interior y la conducta conforme al dharma como en el poder de las armas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ideal of rulership where inner resilience (adīnātman) and earned honour—even from divine authorities like Indra—signal dharmic excellence; power is validated by character and rightful conduct, not merely by conquest.
Bhishma introduces a scene in which the celebrated king Māndhātā, honoured as Indra’s friend and known as a subduer of enemies, goes to approach Śakra (Indra), setting up a dialogue or event involving divine counsel or recognition.