Shloka 3
Book 12, Chapter 93 — Vāmadeva’s Counsel to King Vasumanā on Dharmic Kingship (धर्मप्रधान-राजधर्मोपदेशः)
राजा वसुमना नाम ज्ञानवान् धृतिमान् शुचि: । महर्षि परिपप्रच्छ वामदेवं तपस्विनम्
rājā vasumanā nāma jñānavān dhṛtimān śuciḥ | maharṣiṃ paripapraccha vāmadevaṃ tapasvinam ||
بھیشم نے کہا—وسومنا نام کا ایک بادشاہ تھا—دانش مند، ثابت قدم اور پاکیزہ کردار۔ راست روی کی حقیقت جاننے کے لیے اس نے زاہد مہارشی وام دیو سے نہایت ادب کے ساتھ سوال کیا۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds a dharmic method: a ruler who is wise and self-controlled seeks guidance from a realized ascetic. Ethical governance begins with humility, purity of conduct, and learning from those grounded in tapas and insight.
Bhishma introduces an exemplum: King Vasumanas approaches the great sage Vāmadeva and questions him. This sets up a forthcoming instruction on dharma/rajadharma delivered through the sage’s counsel.