Shloka 2
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । बृहस्पतेश्व॒ संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | bṛhaspateś ca saṃvādam indrasya ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
ভীষ্ম বললেন—যুধিষ্ঠির! এ বিষয়েও পণ্ডিতেরা এক প্রাচীন ইতিহাসের দৃষ্টান্ত দেন—বৃহস্পতি ও ইন্দ্রের সংলাপ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames his instruction through authoritative precedent: ethical and dharmic questions are clarified by recalling an ancient exemplum, specifically a revered dialogue between a divine teacher (Brihaspati) and a ruler-god (Indra).
Bhishma, continuing his counsel to Yudhishthira in the Shanti Parva, introduces a traditional story as evidence and announces that he will recount the discourse between Brihaspati and Indra.