Shloka 4
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 ||
राजा शत्रुंजयो नाम सौवीरेषु महारथः । भारद्वाजमुपागम्य पप्रच्छार्थविनिश्चयम् ॥ सौवीरदेश में शत्रुंजय नाम का एक महारथी राजा था। वह भारद्वाज के पास जाकर अपने कर्तव्य का निश्चय जानने हेतु प्रश्न करने लगा।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.