Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
दशाश्वका पुत्र भी बड़ा धर्मात्मा राजा था। उसका मन सदा सत्य, तपस्या और दानमें ही लगा रहता था ।।
madirāśvaḥ iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpatiḥ | dhanurvede ca vede ca nirato yo ’bhavat sadā ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಈ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಮದಿರಾಶ್ವ’ ಎಂದು ಖ್ಯಾತನಾದ ಒಬ್ಬ ರಾಜನಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನು ಸದಾ ವೇದದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಧನುರ್ವೇದದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಿರತನಾಗಿದ್ದನು.
भीष्म उवाच
An ideal ruler integrates spiritual-ethical learning (Veda) with disciplined martial competence (Dhanurveda). Renown is grounded not merely in power but in steady commitment to knowledge and self-control.
Bhishma introduces a king named Madirāśva, describing him as famous on earth and consistently devoted to studying both the Veda and the martial science of archery, setting up an exemplar of righteous kingship.