Shloka 23
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
सत्ये तपसि दाने च यज्ञाधिकरणे तथा । धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च नीत्यां चैवानुरक्षणे
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
satye tapasi dāne ca yajñādhikaraṇe tathā |
dhanurvede ca vede ca nītyāṃ caivānurakṣaṇe |
ವೈಶಂಪಾಯನನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಸತ್ಯ, ತಪಸ್ಸು, ದಾನ, ಯಜ್ಞಗಳ ಯಥಾವಿಧಿ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ, ವೇದ ಮತ್ತು ಧನುರ್ವೇದದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಂಡಿತ್ಯ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ನೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಜಾರಕ್ಷಣ—ಇವೆಲ್ಲದಲ್ಲೂ ನಿನ್ನ ಸಮಾನ ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾರಥಿಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence is measured not only by martial skill but by a complete dharmic profile: truthfulness, disciplined austerity, generosity, correct ritual responsibility, scriptural learning, sound policy, and the protective care of subjects.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and governance, Vaiśampāyana reports praise that highlights a warrior-ruler’s comprehensive virtues—linking Vedic authority, military competence, and ethical kingship through the duty of protecting the people.