Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 26
त॑ राजा कस्त्वमित्याह ततस्तं प्राह मारुत: । वायुर्वे देवदूतो5स्मि हित॑ त्वां प्रत्रवीम्पहम्
taṁ rājā kastvam ity āha tatas taṁ prāha mārutaḥ | vāyur vai devadūto 'smi hitaṁ tvāṁ prabravīmi aham ||
Nang marinig ang mga salitang iyon, nagtanong ang hari, “Marangal na ginoo, sino ka?” At sumagot si Māruta: “O Hari, ako si Vāyu, sugo ng mga diyos, at nagsasalita ako para sa iyong ikabubuti.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should be receptive to salutary counsel (hita), especially when it comes with divine authority; the verse frames ethical instruction as guidance meant for the king’s welfare rather than flattery or fear.
The king, identified in the received context as Kārtavīrya, asks the unknown speaker’s identity; the speaker reveals himself as Vāyu (Māruta), a divine messenger, and announces that he is about to give beneficial advice.