Shloka 3
राजवृत्त-रक्षा-प्रणिधि-षाड्गुण्योपदेशः
Royal Conduct, Protection, Intelligence, and Policy Measures
राजा वसुमना नाम कौसल्यो धीमतां वर: । महर्षि किल पप्रच्छ कृतप्रज्ञं बृहस्पतिम्,कहते हैं, प्राचीन कालमें बुद्धिमानोंमें श्रेष्ठ कोसल-नरेश राजा वसुमनाने शुद्ध बुद्धिवाले महर्षि बृहस्पतिसे कुछ प्रश्न किया
bhīṣma uvāca | rājā vasumanā nāma kausalyō dhīmatāṁ varaḥ | maharṣiṁ kila papraccha kṛtaprajñaṁ bṛhaspatim ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Noong unang panahon ay may isang haring nagngangalang Vasumanā, isang pinuno ng Kosala na kinikilalang pinakadakila sa mga marurunong. Minsan, lumapit siya sa dakilang pantas na si Brihaspati—na may matatag at ganap na pag-unawa—at naglahad ng ilang katanungan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry: an exemplary king seeks counsel from a perfected sage, highlighting that righteous governance and personal conduct begin with humble questioning and reliance on established wisdom.
Bhīṣma introduces a traditional episode: the Kosala king Vasumanā approaches the sage Bṛhaspati and asks him questions, setting up a didactic dialogue on dharma and prudent understanding.