Shloka 34
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
भवान् हि वयसा वृद्ध: श्रुताचारसमन्वित: । कुशलो राजधर्माणां सर्वेषामपराश्च ये,आपकी अवस्था सबसे बड़ी है। आप शास्त्रज्ञान तथा सदाचारसे सम्पन्न हैं। साथ ही समस्त राजधर्मों तथा अन्य धर्मोंके ज्ञानमें भी आप कुशल हैं
bhavān hi vayasā vṛddhaḥ śrutācārasamanvitaḥ | kuśalo rājadharmāṇāṃ sarveṣām aparāś ca ye ||
Vāyu-deva bersabda: “Sesungguhnya engkau telah lanjut usia, dikurniai ilmu dan kelakuan yang baik. Engkau juga mahir dalam segala kewajipan raja—dan dalam cabang-cabang dharma yang lain juga.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Authority in advising on dharma—especially rājadharma—rests on a union of age-matured experience (vṛddhatva), scriptural learning (śruta), and exemplary conduct (ācāra). Competence in governance is framed as an ethical discipline grounded in broader dharma.
Vāyu addresses an honored elder, praising his seniority, learning, and moral conduct, and affirming his expertise in royal duties and other dharmic disciplines—thereby establishing him as a credible guide for instruction on governance and righteousness.