Shloka 2
मृदु-तीक्ष्ण-नीति तथा दुष्टलक्षण-विज्ञानम्
Measured Policy and the Recognition of Malicious Disposition
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । बृहस्पतेश्व॒ संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर,भीष्मजीने कहा--'युधिष्ठिर! इस विषयमें विद्वान् पुरुष बृहस्पति और इन्द्रके संवादरूप एक प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | bṛhaspateś ca saṃvādam indrasya ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Auch hierzu, o Yudhiṣṭhira, führen die Gelehrten ein altes Beispiel aus der Überlieferung an: den Dialog zwischen Bṛhaspati und Indra.“
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.