Shloka 5
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिक: । ब्रह्माण्यश्ष महात्मा च सत्यसंधो जितेन्द्रिय:,प्राचीनकालकी बात है, मद्रदेशमें एक परम धर्मात्मा राजा राज्य करते थे। वे ब्राह्मण- भक्त, विशालह्ृदय, सत्य-प्रतिज्ञ और जितेन्द्रिय थे
āsīn madreṣu dharmātmā rājā paramadhārmikaḥ | brahmaṇyaś ca mahātmā ca satyasaṃdho jitendriyaḥ ||
Юдхиштхира сказал: В древние времена, в земле Мадра, царствовал царь с праведной душой, высочайше преданный дхарме. Он почитал брахманов, был великодушен, неуклонно верен своим обетам и владел своими чувствами.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sketches the ethical ideal of a ruler: steadfast commitment to dharma, reverence for Brāhmaṇas and sacred learning, truthfulness in promises, and mastery over the senses—virtues that legitimize power and protect society.
Yudhiṣṭhira begins an illustrative account by introducing an exemplary king from the Madra country in ancient times, setting the moral tone for the story that follows.