Shloka 1
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
ऑपन--माज बक। अकाल ३-विगत: अवहार: धर्मस्य येन स: व्यवहार:”। दूर हो गया है धर्मका अवहार (लोप) जिसके द्वारा
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | aṅgeṣu rājā dyutimān vasuhoma iti śrutaḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Dalam hal ini juga, orang-orang yang mengetahui dharma mengutip sebuah teladan sejarah kuno. Dengarkanlah itu pula. Di negeri Aṅga dahulu memerintah seorang raja bercahaya, termasyhur dengan nama Vasuhoma.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames the discussion of daṇḍa (punitive authority) through an instructive ancient example, implying that ethical governance and the preservation of dharma are best understood via precedents from exemplary kings.
Bhishma begins an old story to explain the topic at hand: he introduces an ancient account set in Aṅga, where an illustrious king named Vasuhoma ruled, setting the stage for a lesson about daṇḍa and royal duty.