Shloka 12
Kṣātra-Dharma, Daṇḍanīti, and Social Order
Indra–Māndhātṛ Dialogue
बभूव राजा राजेन्द्र मान्धाता नाम वीर्यवान् | पुरा वसुमतीपालो यज्ञ चक्रे दिदृक्षया
babhūva rājā rājendra māndhātā nāma vīryavān | purā vasumatīpālo yajñaṃ cakre didṛkṣayā ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O hari sa mga hari! Noong unang panahon ay may isang makapangyarihang pinunong nagngangalang Māndhātṛ, tagapangalaga ng daigdig. Noon pa man ay nagsagawa siya ng isang yajña (banal na handog), udyok ng pagnanais na masilayan (ang banal at ang mataas na kaayusang nahahayag sa pamamagitan ng yajña).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse introduces an exemplary ancient king and frames yajña as a dharmic act of rulership: a righteous protector of the earth seeks higher vision/confirmation of sacred order through sacrifice, implying that political power is meant to be aligned with ritual duty and moral purpose.
Bhīṣma begins a traditional illustrative episode (itihāsa) for the king he is instructing, stating that in ancient times the powerful king Māndhātṛ, ruler of the earth, performed a yajña motivated by a desire to behold something auspicious/divine, setting up the lesson that follows.