Shloka 2
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वंशोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Dynastic Counsel on Legitimate Rule
प्रातीप: शान्तनुस्तात कुलस्यार्थे यथा स्थित: । यथा देवब्रतो भीष्म: कुलस्यार्थे स्थितो5भवत्
Pratīpaḥ Śāntanus tāta kulasyārthe yathā sthitaḥ | yathā Devavrato Bhīṣmaḥ kulasyārthe sthito 'bhavat ||
Vāyu berkata: “Wahai anakku, sebagaimana Pratīpa dan Śāntanu berdiri teguh demi kesejahteraan keturunan mereka, demikian pula Devavrata—Bhīṣma—berdiri demi kepentingan keluarga Kuru. Inilah ukuran kebesaran mereka: mereka menundukkan kehendak peribadi kepada kebaikan yang berkekalan bagi dinasti dan dharmanya.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True nobility in dharma is shown by steadfastly prioritizing the welfare and moral continuity of one’s lineage/community over personal preference—exemplified by Pratīpa, Śāntanu, and especially Bhīṣma (Devavrata).
Vāyudeva cites earlier Kuru exemplars to frame Bhīṣma’s conduct: he is being praised/held up as one who remained firmly committed to the Kuru family’s interest, in continuity with his royal ancestors.