Shloka 11
Dhaumya-varaṇa (Appointment of Dhaumya as Purohita) | धौम्यवरणम्
पुरोहितमिमं प्राप्प वसिष्ठमृषिसत्तमम् । ईजिरे क्रतुभिश्वचैव नृपास्ते कुरुनन्दन,कुरुनन्दन! इन्हीं मुनिश्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठको पुरोहित-रूपमें पाकर उन नरपतियोंने बहुत-से यज्ञ भी किये थे
purohitam imaṁ prāpya vasiṣṭham ṛṣisattamam | ījire kratubhiś caiva nṛpās te kurunandana ||
“Having obtained this Vasiṣṭha—the foremost of sages—as their royal priest, those kings, O delight of the Kurus, performed many sacrificial rites as well.” The Gandharva underscores that righteous kingship is strengthened when guided by a worthy priest and expressed through properly conducted yajñas, linking political authority with ethical and ritual responsibility.
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is portrayed as dharma-guided: kings prosper and act rightly when they appoint a truly eminent sage as purohita and uphold sacred duties through properly performed sacrifices.
A Gandharva addresses a Kuru prince (“Kurunandana”) and recalls how earlier kings, after securing Vasiṣṭha as their priest, conducted many Vedic sacrifices—presenting Vasiṣṭha’s priesthood as a mark of royal righteousness and prestige.