Shloka 26
नहुषोपाख्यानम्—दीपदान-धूप-बलीकर्म-प्रशंसा
Nahūṣa Episode and the Commendation of Lamp-Gifting and Household Offerings
भूगुं हि यदि सोडद्रक्ष्यन्नहुष: पृथिवीपते
bhṛguṁ hi yadi soḍad rakṣyann ahuṣaḥ pṛthivīpate
ഭീഷ്മൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹേ ഭൂമിപതേ! നഹുഷൻ പ്രജയെ സംരക്ഷിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കെ ഭൃഗുവിന്റെ (ക്രോധം/ശാപം) പോലും സഹിക്കുമെന്നാൽ, പിന്നെ…”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s rājadharma centers on protection of the realm and subjects; fulfilling that duty may require patient endurance of severe trials and even the displeasure of powerful ascetics, when the ruler’s intent is righteous governance.
Bhīṣma addresses a king and cites Nahuṣa in connection with Bhṛgu, using their names as moral exemplars to advance an argument about the burdens of kingship—especially the obligation to protect and to bear consequences with fortitude.