Shloka 6
Chapter 78: Royal Responsibility for Wealth, Social Order, and the Protection of Dvijas
Kekaya Exemplum
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । गीत॑ कैकेयराजेन ह्वियमाणेन रक्षसा,इस विषयमें जानकार लोग एक प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं। जिसमें राक्षसके द्वारा अपहृत होते समय केकयराजके प्रकट किये हुए उद्गारका वर्णन है
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | gītaṃ kaikeyarājena hriyamāṇena rakṣasā ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Dalam hal ini juga, orang-orang berilmu sering mengemukakan satu teladan purba. Ia sebuah kisah tradisi: kata-kata yang diucapkan oleh raja Kekaya ketika dibawa lari oleh seorang rākṣasa diceritakan kembali sebagai contoh—untuk menjelaskan pokok dharma yang sedang dibicarakan melalui ingatan sejarah.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma signals that dharma is clarified not only by abstract reasoning but also by time-tested precedents: an ancient itihāsa is introduced to illuminate right conduct and inner resolve when one faces danger and coercion.
Bhīṣma begins an illustrative tale: learned people recount an old story in which the king of Kekaya, while being abducted by a rākṣasa, speaks memorable words; the forthcoming episode is presented as an example relevant to the discussion.