Shloka 12
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
ततो निशाम्य गाड़ेयं शाम्यमानमिवानलम् । किंचिद् दीनमना भीष्ममिति होवाच केशव:
tato niśāmya gāḍeyaṃ śāmyamānam ivānalam | kiṃcid dīna-manā bhīṣmam iti hovāca keśavaḥ ||
ثم إن كيشافا (كريشنا)، إذ رأى بهيشما—ابن الغانغا—وقد خيّم على روحه شيء من الفتور وبدا كالنار توشك أن تخبو، خاطبه بهذه الكلمات. وهكذا تهيّأ المقام لمشورةٍ تُثبّت القلب وتوقظ العزم في السعي إلى الدارما.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical moment: when a wise elder’s inner strength wanes, compassionate and dharma-oriented counsel is timely. It highlights attentiveness to another’s mental state and the duty to restore clarity and resolve before instruction on dharma proceeds.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa notices Bhīṣma looking dejected, likened to a fire that is dying down, and then begins to speak to him—introducing the forthcoming dialogue and guidance in the Śānti Parva.