Shloka 11
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्ते नारदेन भीष्ममीयुर्नराधिपा: । प्रष्टं चाशक्नुवन्तस्ते वीक्षांचक्रु: परस्परम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam ukte nāradena bhīṣmam īyur narādhipāḥ | praṣṭuṃ ca aśaknuvantas te vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ parasparam |
قال فايشَمبايانا: لما قال نارادا ذلك، دنا الملوك من بهيشما. غير أنهم لم يقدروا أن يتجرؤوا على سؤاله؛ بل أخذوا ينظر بعضهم إلى بعض، وكلٌّ ينتظر أن يبدأ غيره بالكلام—فبان تهيّبهم أمام الشيخ الموقَّر وثِقَلُ الدَّرما التي كانوا يلتمسون فهمها.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical posture required for receiving dharma-instruction: humility and reverence. Even powerful kings feel the weight of approaching a venerable authority like Bhīṣma, and their hesitation underscores that questions about dharma are serious and demand inner readiness, not mere curiosity.
After Nārada’s statement, the assembled kings come near Bhīṣma intending to inquire. However, none dares to begin; they exchange glances, each expecting another to ask first, setting the stage for Bhīṣma’s forthcoming instruction.