Shloka 18
Cyavana Explains His Tests; Kuśika Seeks Brāhmaṇya for His Line (च्यवन–कुशिक संवादः)
इदं गृहमिदं राज्यमिदं धर्मासनं च ते । राजा त्वमसि शाध्युर्वीमहं तु परवांस्त्वयि
idaṁ gṛham idaṁ rājyam idaṁ dharmāsanaṁ ca te | rājā tvam asi sādhv ṛṣi mahāhaṁ tu paravāṁs tvayi ||
毗湿摩说：“此宅邸、此国土、此依达摩而立之法座，皆属于你。你即是王——噫，可敬的圣者——当统御并护持此大地。至于我，愿永远依止于你，作你命下之仆。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate rule is grounded in dharma, and true nobility includes humility: even a mighty figure like Bhīṣma frames authority as belonging to the righteous claimant and presents himself as obedient to dharmic order rather than personal power.
Bhīṣma addresses a venerable sage, offering the palace, kingdom, and dharmic throne to him, affirming the sage’s right to rule and declaring his own willingness to remain under the sage’s command—an act that underscores deference to spiritual-moral authority.