Shloka 4
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
सर्व वैनयिकं कृत्वा विनयज्ञो बृहस्पतिम् । दक्षिणानन्तरो भूत्वा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: sarva-vainayikaṃ kṛtvā vinaya-jño bṛhaspatim | dakṣiṇānantaro bhūtvā praṇamya vidhi-pūrvakam ||
भीष्म उवाच— “सर्वं वैनयिकं कृत्वा विनयज्ञो बृहस्पतिम्। दक्षिणानन्तरो भूत्वा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम्॥ प्रजासुखेच्छया राजा धर्मशीलं बृहस्पतिं राज्यशासनविधिं पप्रच्छ।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Right governance begins with vinaya—humble, rule-guided respect toward wise teachers. The verse frames political inquiry (how to rule) as ethically grounded: a king seeking public welfare must first embody discipline, courtesy, and proper conduct before receiving instruction on rājadharma.
A king receives Bṛhaspati with full ceremonial respect—standing appropriately, completing the customary honors, and bowing according to prescribed rules—then, wishing for his subjects’ happiness, prepares to question Bṛhaspati about the correct principles and methods of ruling.