Shloka 1
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
ऑपन--माज बक। अकाल ३-विगत: अवहार: धर्मस्य येन स: व्यवहार:”। दूर हो गया है धर्मका अवहार (लोप) जिसके द्वारा
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | aṅgeṣu rājā dyutimān vasuhoma iti śrutaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“在此事上，通晓之人也常引一则上古史事为证。你也当听。于盎伽之地，昔日曾有一位光辉灿然的国王，世人以‘婆苏霍摩’之名称颂他。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames the discussion of daṇḍa (punitive authority) through an instructive ancient example, implying that ethical governance and the preservation of dharma are best understood via precedents from exemplary kings.
Bhishma begins an old story to explain the topic at hand: he introduces an ancient account set in Aṅga, where an illustrious king named Vasuhoma ruled, setting the stage for a lesson about daṇḍa and royal duty.