Shloka 28
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
श्र इदानीं स्वसन्देहं प्रक्ष्यामि त्वां पितामह । उपैति सविता हास्तं रसमापीय पार्थिवम्
idānīṁ svasandehaṁ prakṣyāmi tvāṁ pitāmaha | upaiti savitā hāstaṁ rasam āpīya pārthivam ||
«À présent, ô Aïeul, je vais t’interroger sur mon propre doute. Le Soleil, après avoir bu l’humidité de la terre, s’approche de la montagne de l’Occident»—marque de la fin du jour, qui appelle à réfléchir à l’ordre du temps et du devoir.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry within the rhythm of cosmic order: as the day ends and the Sun withdraws after drawing up earthly moisture, the student turns to the elder for clarification—suggesting that right action (dharma) is sought through timely, humble questioning and attention to the order of time.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandsire’ and announces that he will pose a personal doubt. The setting is evoked by an image of sunset: the Sun, having absorbed the earth’s moisture, moves toward the western mountain, signaling a transition that often precedes serious instruction and reflection.