Shloka 4
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
वसुमना नामक एक प्रसिद्ध राजा हो गये हैं, जो ज्ञानवान, धैर्यवान् और पवित्र आचार- विचारवाले थे। उन्होंने एक दिन तपस्वी महर्षि वामदेवजीसे पूछा-- ।। धर्मार्थसहितैर्वाक्यैर्भगवन्ननुशाधि माम् | येन वृत्तेन वै तिष्ठन् न हीयेय॑ं स्वधर्मत:,'भगवन्! मैं किस बर्तावका पालन करता रहूँ, जिससे अपने धर्मसे कभी न गिरूँ। आप अपने अर्थ और धर्मयुक्त वचनोंद्वारा मुझे इसी बातका उपदेश दीजिये”
bhīṣma uvāca | vasumanā nāmaka ekaḥ prasiddhaḥ rājā babhūva, yaḥ jñānavān dhairyavān ca pavitrācāra-vicāravān āsīt | sa kadācit tapasvinaṃ maharṣiṃ vāmadevaṃ papraccha— dharmārtha-sahitair vākyair bhagavan anuśādhi mām | yena vṛttena vai tiṣṭhan na hīyeyaṃ svadharmataḥ || bhagavan! ahaṃ kasya vṛttasya pālanaṃ kurvan tiṣṭheyam, yena svadharmāt kadācid api na cyaveyam; dharmārtha-yuktaiḥ vacobhir etad upadiśa ||
Bhishma disse: Houve outrora um rei afamado chamado Vasumana — sábio, firme e puro em conduta e pensamento. Certo dia, aproximou-se do grande vidente asceta Vāmadeva e perguntou: “Ó Bem-aventurado, instrui-me com palavras alicerçadas no dharma e no propósito correto. Por qual modo de vida, se nele eu permanecer estabelecido, jamais me afastarei do meu próprio dever legítimo? Ensina-me isto com conselho que sustente tanto a retidão quanto o verdadeiro bem-estar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a central ethical inquiry: a ruler should seek a stable rule of conduct (vṛtta) that keeps him firmly established in svadharma. True instruction must integrate dharma (righteousness) with artha (practical welfare), so that moral duty and effective living support each other rather than conflict.
Bhishma introduces an exemplary episode: the famous king Vasumana, known for wisdom and purity, approaches the ascetic seer Vāmadeva and requests guidance. He asks for counsel—rooted in dharma and artha—about what way of life he should follow so he never falls from his rightful duty.