Shloka 8
सेवितं सततं राजन पुरा राजर्षिसत्तमै: । क्षत्रधर्मपरैर्नित्यं सत्यव्रतपरायणै:
sevitaṃ satataṃ rājan purā rājarṣisattamaiḥ | kṣatradharmaparair nityaṃ satyavrataparāyaṇaiḥ ||
Wahai Raja, pada zaman dahulu, para raja-ṛṣi yang utama—yang senantiasa teguh pada dharma kṣatriya dan berpegang kukuh pada ikrar kebenaran—terus-menerus menjalankan (mantra/amal) ini; mereka melafalkannya tanpa henti.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds an ethical ideal for rulers: true kṣatriya-dharma is inseparable from satya (truth). The highest kings are portrayed as those who continually practice a revered discipline (implied mantra/observance) while remaining unwavering in truthful vows.
Bhīṣma, instructing the king, appeals to ancient precedent: he says that the foremost royal sages of earlier times constantly practiced/recited this tradition, emphasizing their devotion to warrior-duty and truth as the model for present conduct.