Shloka 28
राजधर्मप्रश्नः — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry into Rājadharma (Śānti-parva 56)
श्लोकौ चोशनसा गीतौ पुरा तात महर्षिणा । तौ निबोध महाराज त्वमेकाग्रमना नृप
ślokau cośanasā gītau purā tāta maharṣiṇā | tau nibodha mahārāja tvam ekāgramanā nṛpa ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Mahal kong anak, noong unang panahon ay inawit ng dakilang pantas na si Uśanas (Śukrācārya) ang dalawang tanyag na taludtod tungkol sa bagay na ito. O dakilang hari, tagapaghari ng mga tao—pakinggan mo ang dalawang taludtod na iyon nang ang isip ay nakatuon sa iisang layon.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma emphasizes disciplined listening and receptivity: ethical instruction is to be received with ekāgratā (single-pointed attention), and it is strengthened by citing an ancient, respected authority (Uśanas/Śukrācārya).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to the king, Bhīṣma introduces a pair of famous verses attributed to the sage Uśanas and asks the king to listen carefully, preparing the audience for the quoted teaching that follows.