Shloka 6
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
त॑ कदाचिददीनात्मा सखा शक्रस्य मानित: । अभ्यगच्छन्महीपालो मान्धाता शत्रुकर्शन:
taṁ kadācid adīnātmā sakhā śakrasya mānitaḥ | abhyagacchan mahīpālo māndhātā śatrukarśanaḥ ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—एकदा शक्र (इंद्र) यांचा मान्य मित्र, अढळ मनाचा व शत्रुनाशक राजा मांधाता त्यांच्याकडे आला.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ideal of rulership where inner resilience (adīnātman) and earned honour—even from divine authorities like Indra—signal dharmic excellence; power is validated by character and rightful conduct, not merely by conquest.
Bhishma introduces a scene in which the celebrated king Māndhātā, honoured as Indra’s friend and known as a subduer of enemies, goes to approach Śakra (Indra), setting up a dialogue or event involving divine counsel or recognition.