Shloka 3
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
राजा वसुमना नाम ज्ञानवान् धृतिमान् शुचि: । महर्षि परिपप्रच्छ वामदेवं तपस्विनम्
rājā vasumanā nāma jñānavān dhṛtimān śuciḥ | maharṣiṃ paripapraccha vāmadevaṃ tapasvinam ||
Bhīṣma dit : Il y eut un roi nommé Vasumanas — sage, ferme dans sa résolution et pur dans sa conduite. Désireux d’éclaircir la juste manière de vivre, il interrogea avec respect le grand ṛṣi Vāmadeva, maître des austérités.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds a dharmic method: a ruler who is wise and self-controlled seeks guidance from a realized ascetic. Ethical governance begins with humility, purity of conduct, and learning from those grounded in tapas and insight.
Bhishma introduces an exemplum: King Vasumanas approaches the great sage Vāmadeva and questions him. This sets up a forthcoming instruction on dharma/rajadharma delivered through the sage’s counsel.