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 |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Dalam kebenaran, tapa, dan kedermawanan; dalam pelaksanaan serta pentadbiran korban yajña; dalam penguasaan ilmu memanah (Dhanurveda) dan Veda; dan dalam tata negara beserta perlindungan rakyat—dalam semua ini aku tidak pernah mendengar adanya maharathi yang setara denganmu.”
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.