Shloka 26
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
साधु साध्विति संहृष्टा: पुष्पमाणैरिवाननै: । अस्तुवंश्व नरव्याप्रं भीष्म धर्मभूतां वरम्
sādhu sādhv iti saṁhṛṣṭāḥ puṣpamāṇair ivānanaiḥ | astuvaṁś ca naravyāghraṁ bhīṣmaṁ dharmabhūtāṁ varam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Transportés de joie, le visage épanoui comme couvert de fleurs, ils s’écrièrent : « Bien dit ! Bien dit ! » et louèrent Bhīṣma —tigre parmi les hommes, le premier des justes— lui adressant maintes fois des acclamations pour cette parole toute imprégnée de dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of dharma-yukta speech: when a teaching is grounded in righteousness, wise listeners respond with joyful approval and honor the speaker, reinforcing dharma through communal affirmation.
After Bhīṣma delivers a dharma-centered statement, the assembled listeners become delighted, exclaim “Well said!” and offer strong praise to Bhīṣma as the foremost among righteous men.