Shloka 24
Āśvamedha-dīkṣā-nirdeśaḥ — Scheduling the Initiation and Assigning Protection for the Horse
त्वं चाद्य कुरुवीराणां धर्मेण हि विराजसे । गुणीभूता: सम ते राजंस्त्वं नो राजा गुरुर्मत:
tvaṃ cādya kuruvīrāṇāṃ dharmeṇa hi virājase | guṇībhūtāḥ sama te rājaṃs tvaṃ no rājā gurur mataḥ ||
वायु बोले— राजन्! आज समस्त कुरुवीरों में केवल आप ही धर्म के तेज से सुशोभित हैं। हम सब आपके साथ एकनिष्ठ हैं, आपके अनुयायी हैं; और आपको अपना राजा तथा गुरु मानते हैं।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate authority is grounded in dharma: the truly exemplary leader is the one who shines through righteous conduct, and such dharmic excellence naturally commands loyalty and the status of both ruler and teacher.
Vāyu addresses a king, praising him as the only Kuru hero presently distinguished by dharma, and declares allegiance—affirming that they accept him as their sovereign and as a guiding guru.