Shloka 10
त्रिवर्गमूलनिश्चयः — Determining the Roots of Dharma, Artha, and Kāma
Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 123
सोअब्रवीत्परमप्रीतो मान्धाता राजसत्तमम् | वसुहोम॑ महाप्राज्ञमासीनं कुरुनन्दन,कुरुनन्दन! तब परम प्रसन्न हुए मान्धाताने वहाँ बैठे हुए महाज्ञानी नृपश्रेष्ठ वसुहोमसे पूछा
so 'bravīt paramaprīto māndhātā rājasattamam | vasuhomaṃ mahāprājñam āsīnaṃ kurunandana ||
毗湿摩说道：于是，曼陀诃多王心怀大喜，便对坐在那里的婆苏霍摩——至智之人、诸王之冠——开口说道，噢，俱卢的后裔！此处呈现的是一场恭敬的请问：正法之君因所闻所见而欣然，转而向卓然的王仙求取更深的指引，彰显治国当以智慧与劝谏为导。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic model of leadership: an exemplary king, pleased and receptive, seeks guidance from a highly wise and eminent figure. It implies that righteous rule depends on humility, inquiry, and deference to wisdom rather than mere power.
Bhishma narrates that King Māndhātā, feeling very pleased, speaks to Vasuhoma—described as a foremost king and great sage—who is seated there. The verse functions as a transition into Māndhātā’s question or request for instruction.