Pāṇḍu’s Marriages, Conquests, and Triumphal Return (पाण्डोर्विवाह-विजय-प्रत्यागमनम्)
भीष्मस्य चास्य वचनान्नियोगाच्च ममानघ । अनुक्रोशाच्च भूतानां सर्वेषां रक्षणाय च
bhīṣmasya cāsya vacanān niyogāc ca mamānagha | anukrośāc ca bhūtānāṃ sarveṣāṃ rakṣaṇāya ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O sinless one, it was in obedience to Bhīṣma’s words and to my own commission, and also out of compassion for all living beings and for the protection of everyone, that this was undertaken.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse grounds action in dharmic motives: obedience to rightful instruction (Bhīṣma’s counsel and an authorized commission) combined with universal compassion and the duty to protect all beings.
Vaiśampāyana explains the reasons for proceeding with a narration/undertaking: he is acting under Bhīṣma’s directive and a formal charge, and he frames the purpose as compassionate safeguarding of all creatures.