Shloka 3

Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Dharmic Rule (भीष्मोक्त-युधिष्ठिर-राजधर्म-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

नीतिथर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञं पितृवच्च समाहितम्‌ । धर्मे स्थितं सत्यधृतिं ज्येष्ठं ज्येष्ठानुयायिन:,“उनमें धर्मराज तो नीति, धर्म और अर्थके तत्त्वको जाननेवाले, भाइयोंद्वारा पिताकी भाँति सम्मानित, धर्मपर अटल रहनेवाले, सत्यपरायण और भाइयोंमें सबसे ज्येष्ठ हैं। राजन! उनके भाई भी अपनेसे बड़ोंके अनुगामी और अपने महात्मा बन्धु श्रीमान्‌ अजातशत्रु युधिष्ठिरके भक्त हैं। धर्मामज भी सब भाइयोंपर अत्यन्त स्नेह रखते हैं

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

nīti-dharmārtha-tattva-jñaṃ pitṛ-vac ca samāhitam |

dharme sthitaṃ satya-dhṛtiṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ jyeṣṭhānuyāyinaḥ ||

Translation

వారిలో ధర్మరాజు (యుధిష్ఠిరుడు) నీతి, ధర్మం, అర్థం యొక్క తత్త్వాన్ని తెలిసినవాడు; తండ్రివలె గౌరవింపబడే స్థిరచిత్తుడు. అతడు ధర్మంలో స్థితుడై, సత్యంలో దృఢుడై, జ్యేష్ఠుడు; అతని తమ్ముళ్లు పెద్దల అనుగాములు.

Word by Word

नीतिधर्मार्थतत्त्वज्ञम्knower of the principles of polity, dharma, and artha

पितृवत्like a father

चand

समाहितम्composed; self-controlled; collected

धर्मेin dharma

स्थितम्standing firm; established

सत्यधृतिम्steadfastness in truth; truth-held resolve

ज्येष्ठम्the eldest

ज्येष्ठानुयायिनःfollowers of elders

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira)

the brothers (Pāṇḍavas, implied)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse presents an ethical model of kingship: true leadership rests on understanding nīti (prudent governance), dharma (righteous duty), and artha (welfare), combined with inner composure and unwavering commitment to truth. It also upholds respect for elders and disciplined loyalty within a family or polity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana is describing Yudhiṣṭhira’s character during the Virāṭa-parvan context, emphasizing his seniority among the Pāṇḍavas and the reverence and obedience his younger brothers show him, portraying their unity and moral stature while they live incognito.