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 ||
Bhīṣma dit : Un jour, le roi Māndhātā — l’âme ferme, jamais abattue, honoré par Śakra (Indra) comme un ami et renommé pour écraser ses ennemis — s’approcha de lui. L’épisode montre Māndhātā comme un souverain dont la valeur ne se mesure pas seulement aux victoires, mais aussi à l’estime des dieux, suggérant que la royauté véritable repose autant sur la fermeté intérieure et la conduite selon le dharma que sur la puissance guerrière.
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.