Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
राजा शत्रुंजयो नाम सौवीरेषु महारथ: । भारद्वाजमुपागम्य पप्रच्छार्थविनिश्चवयम्
rājā śatruñjayo nāma sauvīreṣu mahārathaḥ | bhāradvājam upāgamya papracchārtha-viniścayam ||
ସୌବୀର ଦେଶରେ ଶତ୍ରୁଞ୍ଜୟ ନାମକ ଗୋଟିଏ ମହାରଥୀ ରାଜା ଥିଲେ। ସେ ଭାରଦ୍ୱାଜଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଯାଇ, ନିଜ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟର ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ନିର୍ଣ୍ଣୟ ଜାଣିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କଲେ।
भीष्म उवाच
A ruler should seek clear determination of dharma and practical duty by approaching a qualified sage; ethical governance begins with humble inquiry and decisive understanding.
Bhīṣma introduces an illustrative episode: King Śatruñjaya of Sauvīra goes to the sage Bhāradvāja and asks him for a definitive judgment about what he ought to do.