Shloka 28
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
मनुष्येषु मनुष्येन्द्र न दृष्टो न च मे श्रुत: । भवतो वा गुणैर्युक्त: पृथिव्यां पुरुष: क्वचित्,“नरेन्द्र! मनुष्योंमें आपके समान गुणोंसे युक्त पुरुष इस पृथ्वीपर न तो मैंने कहीं देखा है और न सुना ही है
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: manuṣyeṣu manuṣyendra na dṛṣṭo na ca me śrutaḥ | bhavato vā guṇair yuktaḥ pṛthivyāṃ puruṣaḥ kvacit ||
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను— నరేంద్రా! మనుష్యులలో ఈ భూమిపై నీతో సమాన గుణములు కలిగిన పురుషుని నేను ఎక్కడా చూడలేదు; వినలేదు కూడా.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates ethical excellence as the true measure of greatness: a ruler’s worth is grounded in guṇas (virtues) that make him exemplary among humans, reinforcing the Śānti Parva’s emphasis on dharma-based kingship.
Vaiśampāyana, as narrator, addresses a king as “manuṣyendra” and offers a superlative commendation, stating he has neither seen nor heard of anyone on earth equal to him in virtues—setting a tone of moral admiration within the Śānti Parva discourse.