Shloka 80
Varṇa-dharma and Rājadharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Normative Outline (वर्णधर्म-राजधर्म-प्रश्नोत्तरम्)
ततस्तां भगवान् नीति पूर्व जग्राह शड्कर: । बहुरूपो विशालाक्ष: शिव: स्थाणुरुमापति:
tatas tāṃ bhagavān nīti-pūrvaṃ jagrāha śaṅkaraḥ | bahurūpo viśālākṣaḥ śivaḥ sthāṇur umāpatiḥ ||
随后，诸神之中最尊者——商羯罗（Śaṅkara）最先领受并奉行此一关于治道与正行的教诲。他以众多名号著称：形相万千者、广目者、吉祥的湿婆（Śiva）、坚住不动的斯陀努（Sthāṇu）、以及乌玛之主乌玛钵底（Umāpati）——昭示此伦理与政治之教背后所依凭的神圣权威。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the authority and sanctity of nīti—ethical governance and right conduct—by stating that even Śiva first accepted this doctrine, implying it is foundational, time-tested, and worthy of adherence by rulers and seekers of dharma.
Bhīṣma, while instructing on dharma and governance in the Śānti Parva, traces the transmission of a nīti-teaching and notes that Śaṅkara (Śiva), known by many epithets, was the first to receive it—establishing a divine pedigree for the instruction being conveyed.