Shloka 3
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
राजा वसुमना नाम कौसल्यो धीमतां वर: । महर्षि किल पप्रच्छ कृतप्रज्ञं बृहस्पतिम्
bhīṣma uvāca | rājā vasumanā nāma kausalyō dhīmatāṁ varaḥ | maharṣiṁ kila papraccha kṛtaprajñaṁ bṛhaspatim ||
Bhishma disse: “Em tempos antigos houve um rei chamado Vasumanā, soberano de Kosala, célebre como o primeiro entre os sábios. Certa vez, aproximou-se do grande ṛṣi Bṛhaspati—de entendimento firme e consumado—e lhe apresentou algumas perguntas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: an exemplary king seeks counsel from a perfected sage, highlighting that righteous governance and personal conduct begin with humble questioning and reliance on established wisdom.
Bhīṣma introduces a traditional episode: the Kosala king Vasumanā approaches the sage Bṛhaspati and asks him questions, setting up a didactic dialogue on dharma and prudent understanding.