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
Bhishma berkata: “Wahai tuan bumi, jika Raja Nahusha, ketika melindungi rakyatnya, sanggup menanggung bahkan kemurkaan (atau sumpahan) Bhṛgu, maka…” (Bhishma meneruskan dengan menjadikan Bhṛgu dan Nahusha sebagai teladan untuk menegaskan bahawa tugas seorang pemerintah melindungi rakyat kadang-kadang menuntut keteguhan menanggung kesusahan—bahkan akibat berhadapan dengan resi yang berkuasa—apabila dilakukan demi pemerintahan yang berlandaskan dharma.)
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.