Shloka 36
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
मृदुर्वदान्यो ब्रह्मण्यो दाता धर्मपरायण: । धममस्ति विदिता राजन् बहवो लोकसाक्षिका:
mṛdur vadānyo brahmaṇyo dātā dharmaparāyaṇaḥ | dharmāḥ santi viditā rājan bahavo lokasākṣikāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O hari, ikaw ay banayad magsalita, mapagbigay, tapat sa mga Brahmin, isang tagapagkaloob, at matatag sa dharma. Marami nang tungkulin at tuntuning matuwid—na pinatutunayan ng daigdig mismo—ang batid mo na, O hari.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises and reminds a ruler that true authority rests on visible, socially accountable dharma—gentleness, generosity, reverence for sacred learning and its custodians, and steadfast commitment to righteous conduct.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king with respectful commendation, establishing the king’s moral qualifications before proceeding with counsel: since the king already knows many well-attested dharmas, he is expected to act accordingly in the unfolding political crisis of the Udyoga Parva.