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 ||
भीष्म बोले—वसुमना नाम का एक राजा था—ज्ञानवान्, धैर्यवान् और शुद्ध आचरण वाला। धर्माचरण का निश्चय जानने के लिए उसने तपस्वी महर्षि वामदेव से विनयपूर्वक प्रश्न किया।
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.