Shloka 5
Kuru Prosperity under Bhīṣma and the Succession of Pāṇḍu (कुरुराष्ट्रसमृद्धिः पाण्डुराज्यप्राप्तिश्च)
स्वर्गते शान्तनौ भीष्मश्रित्राड्भदमरिंदमम् । स्थापयामास वै राज्ये सत्यवत्या मते स्थित:,शान्तनुके स्वर्गवासी हो जानेपर भीष्मने सत्यवतीकी सम्मतिसे शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले वीर चित्रांगदको राज्यपर बिठाया
svargate śāntanau bhīṣmaś citrāṅgadaṁ ariṁdamam | sthāpayāmāsa vai rājye satyavatyā mate sthitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Quando Śāntanu partiu para o céu, Bhīṣma —de acordo com o conselho de Satyavatī— entronizou o herói subjugador de inimigos, Citrāṅgada. O episódio ressalta a tutela inabalável de Bhīṣma sobre o reino Kuru: ele preserva a sucessão legítima e coloca o dever para com a dinastia e os anciãos acima de qualquer preferência pessoal.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rajadharma: ensuring legitimate succession and stability of the realm. Bhīṣma models ethical governance by subordinating personal will to duty, honoring Satyavatī’s guidance, and protecting dynastic continuity after the king’s death.
After King Śāntanu’s death, Bhīṣma, following Satyavatī’s counsel, formally places Citrāṅgada on the throne, establishing him as the ruler and maintaining order in the kingdom.