Shloka 3
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
न हि धर्म परं जातु नावबुध्येत पार्थिव: । भीष्म: शान्तनवस्त्वेनं मावमंस्थास्त्वमन्यथा,'शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मजी धर्मके तत्त्वको न जानते हों ऐसी बात नहीं है, अतः तुम इनका अनादर न करो
na hi dharma-paraṁ jātu nāvabudhyeta pārthivaḥ | bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavas tv enaṁ māvamamsthās tvam anyathā ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Ein König, der dem Dharma ergeben ist, wäre niemals, zu keiner Zeit, unwissend darüber, was Dharma in Wahrheit ist. Bhīṣma, der Sohn Śāntanus, versteht es; darum begegne ihm nicht mit Verachtung und missachte ihn nicht—handle nicht anders.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True commitment to dharma implies discernment of dharma’s principles; therefore, a dharma-centered elder like Bhīṣma should be approached with reverence, not contempt. Ethical governance includes honoring wise counsel and senior authority.
In the royal assembly context of the Sabha Parva, Vaiśampāyana underscores Bhīṣma’s moral authority, warning a king not to slight him. The verse functions as a corrective: Bhīṣma is not ignorant of dharma, so dismissing him would be improper.