Shloka 38
Śakuni–Duryodhana-saṃvāda: Dyūta-yojanā (Śakuni and Duryodhana on Planning the Dice-Game)
इति तेषां वच: श्रुत्वा ततः कुरुपितामह: । उवाच मतिमान् भीष्मस्तानेव वसुधाधिपान्,उन राजाओंकी ये बातें सुनकर कुरुकुलके पितामह बुद्धिमान् भीष्मजी फिर उन्हीं नरेशोंसे बोले--
iti teṣāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā tataḥ kurupitāmahaḥ | uvāca matimān bhīṣmas tān eva vasudhādhipān ||
সেই রাজাদের কথা শুনে কুরুবংশের পিতামহ, বুদ্ধিমান ভীষ্ম, আবার সেই ভূ-অধিপতিদেরই উদ্দেশ করে বললেন।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key ethical norm of royal assemblies: attentive listening followed by measured speech, especially when guidance comes from a senior guardian of dharma like Bhīṣma.
After the assembled kings have spoken, Bhīṣma—described as the Kuru grandsire and a prudent elder—responds to them, continuing the court discussion.