Shloka 118
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
सागर: सरितां भर्ता हिमवांक्षाचलोत्तम: । शक्रश्न धनमक्षय्यं प्रादात् तस्मै युधिष्ठिर
sāgaraḥ saritāṃ bhartā himavāṃś cācalottamaḥ | śakraś ca dhanam akṣayyaṃ prādāt tasmai yudhiṣṭhira ||
بھیشم نے کہا— اے پانڈو نندن یُدھشٹھِر! دریاؤں کے مالک سمندر، پہاڑوں میں سب سے برتر ہِمَوان، اور شکر (اِندر) نے بھی اسے لازوال دولت عطا کی۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys that dharmic rule aligns a king with cosmic order, so that nature and the gods are depicted as cooperating—symbolically granting stability and inexhaustible resources to sustain righteous governance.
Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and recounts a scene where mighty cosmic beings—Ocean, Himavān, and Indra—offer gifts, especially imperishable wealth, to a worthy recipient, illustrating recognition and support of rightful sovereignty.