Shloka 26
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
साधु साध्विति संहृष्टा: पुष्पमाणैरिवाननै: । अस्तुवंश्व नरव्याप्रं भीष्म धर्मभूतां वरम्
sādhu sādhv iti saṁhṛṣṭāḥ puṣpamāṇair ivānanaiḥ | astuvaṁś ca naravyāghraṁ bhīṣmaṁ dharmabhūtāṁ varam ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Mereka bersukacita, wajah mereka mekar seakan-akan bunga; mereka berseru, “Sungguh baik! Sungguh baik!” dan memuji Bhīṣma—harimau di antara manusia, yang utama di antara para saleh—berulang kali, karena ujarannya yang sarat dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of dharma-yukta speech: when a teaching is grounded in righteousness, wise listeners respond with joyful approval and honor the speaker, reinforcing dharma through communal affirmation.
After Bhīṣma delivers a dharma-centered statement, the assembled listeners become delighted, exclaim “Well said!” and offer strong praise to Bhīṣma as the foremost among righteous men.