Shloka 10
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
सोअब्रवीत्परमप्रीतो मान्धाता राजसत्तमम् | वसुहोम॑ महाप्राज्ञमासीनं कुरुनन्दन,कुरुनन्दन! तब परम प्रसन्न हुए मान्धाताने वहाँ बैठे हुए महाज्ञानी नृपश्रेष्ठ वसुहोमसे पूछा
so 'bravīt paramaprīto māndhātā rājasattamam | vasuhomaṃ mahāprājñam āsīnaṃ kurunandana ||
Bhīṣma dit : Alors, rempli d’une grande joie, le roi Māndhātā s’adressa à Vasuhoma, très sage et premier des rois, assis en ce lieu — ô descendant des Kurus ! La scène encadre une demande faite avec respect : un souverain juste, satisfait de ce qu’il a entendu ou vu, se tourne vers un roi-sage éminent pour chercher davantage de direction, soulignant que le gouvernement doit être guidé par la sagesse et le conseil.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of leadership: an exemplary king, pleased and receptive, seeks guidance from a highly wise and eminent figure. It implies that righteous rule depends on humility, inquiry, and deference to wisdom rather than mere power.
Bhishma narrates that King Māndhātā, feeling very pleased, speaks to Vasuhoma—described as a foremost king and great sage—who is seated there. The verse functions as a transition into Māndhātā’s question or request for instruction.