Shloka 36
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
मृदुर्वदान्यो ब्रह्मण्यो दाता धर्मपरायण: । धममस्ति विदिता राजन् बहवो लोकसाक्षिका:,“महाराज! तुम कोमल, उदार, ब्राह्मणभक्त, दानी तथा धर्मपरायण हो। संसार जिनका साक्षी है, ऐसे बहुत-से धर्म तुम्हें ज्ञात हैं
mṛdur vadānyo brahmaṇyo dātā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ | dharmāḥ santi viditā rājan bahavo lokasākṣikāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Raja, engkau lembut tutur katanya, pemurah, berbakti kepada para Brahmin, seorang pemberi, dan teguh berpegang pada dharma. Banyak kewajipan dan norma kebenaran—yang disaksikan oleh dunia sendiri—telah pun engkau ketahui, wahai raja.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises and reminds a ruler that true authority rests on visible, socially accountable dharma—gentleness, generosity, reverence for sacred learning and its custodians, and steadfast commitment to righteous conduct.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king with respectful commendation, establishing the king’s moral qualifications before proceeding with counsel: since the king already knows many well-attested dharmas, he is expected to act accordingly in the unfolding political crisis of the Udyoga Parva.