Shloka 18
Amba’s Disclosure of Prior Choice (Śālva) and Appeal to Bhīṣma — Chapter 171
चित्राड़दं कौरवाणामाधिपत्ये5भ्यषेचयम् । विचित्रवीर्य च शिशुं यौवराज्ये5 भ्यषेचयम्,माता सत्यवतीके ज्येष्ठ पुत्र चित्रांगगको कौरवोंके राज्यपर और बालक विचित्रवीर्यको युवराजके पदपर अभिषिक्त कर दिया था
citrāṅgadaṃ kauravāṇām ādhipatye 'bhiṣecayam | vicitravīryaṃ ca śiśuṃ yauvarājye 'bhiṣecayam ||
कौरवाणामाधिपत्ये चित्राङ्गदं मया अभ्यषेचयम् । शिशुं विचित्रवीर्यं च यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयम् ॥ एवं कुरुवंशस्य स्थैर्यार्थं राज्यपरम्परायाश्च सुव्यवस्थायै ज्येष्ठं राज्ये न्यस्य कनिष्ठं युवराजपदे प्रतिष्ठापितवान् ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma in practice: legitimate succession and orderly installation of rulers are duties undertaken to preserve stability, prevent conflict, and protect the continuity of the dynasty.
Bhīṣma recounts how he arranged the royal consecrations: Citraṅgada was installed as king over the Kuru realm, while the younger Vicitravīrya—still a child—was installed as yuvarāja (crown prince), ensuring a clear line of succession.