Shloka 24
ब्राह्मणपूजा-राजधर्मः | Royal Duty of Honoring Learned Brahmins
तमुवाच भरद्वाजो ज्येष्ठ: पुत्रो बृहस्पते: । पुरोधा: शीलसम्पन्नो दिवोदासं महीपतिम्
tam uvāca bharadvājo jyeṣṭhaḥ putro bṛhaspateḥ | purodhāḥ śīlasampanno divodāsaṃ mahīpatim |
Bharadvāja, fils aîné de Bṛhaspati—vertueux et prêtre royal—s’adressa au roi Divodāsa. Le voyant arriver, il lui demanda avec une sollicitude respectueuse la raison de sa venue, l’invita à tout raconter, et lui assura qu’il accomplirait, pour son bien, tout ce que le roi souhaiterait, sans arrière-pensée.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic counsel: a virtuous purohita should approach the king with integrity, invite full disclosure, and commit to the ruler’s welfare without ulterior motives—modeling ethical guidance and trustworthy service.
Bhāradvāja, serving as Divodāsa’s priest, addresses the king upon his arrival and asks why he has come, urging him to share all details and assuring him of sincere assistance in whatever the king seeks.