Shloka 77
Vāraṇāvata-prasaṃsā and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure (वरणावत-प्रशंसा तथा पाण्डव-प्रयाणम्)
भीष्म उवाच अपज्यं क्रियतां चापं साध्वस्त्रं प्रतिपादय । भुड्क्ष्य भोगान् भृशं प्रीत: पूज्यमान: कुरुक्षये,भीष्मजी बोले--विप्रवर! अब आप अपने धनुषकी डोरी उतार दीजिये और यहाँ रहकर राजकुमारोंको धरनुर्वेद एवं अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी अच्छी शिक्षा दीजिये। कौरवोंके घरमें सदा सम्मानित रहकर अत्यन्त प्रसन्नताके साथ मनोवांछित भोगोंका उपभोग कीजिये
bhīṣma uvāca | apajyaṁ kriyatāṁ cāpaṁ sādhv astraṁ pratipādaya | bhokṣyase bhogān bhṛśaṁ prītaḥ pūjyamānaḥ kuru-kṣaye ||
Bhishma said: “O excellent brahmin, unstring your bow and set it aside. Stay here and properly impart the science of weapons and the use of fine missiles. Honoured in the Kuru household, you shall, with great contentment, enjoy the pleasures you desire.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights royal dharma expressed through respectful patronage: a ruler/elder honours a learned brahmin and requests him to transmit specialized knowledge (dhanurveda and astravidyā) for the welfare and preparedness of the Kuru princes, offering security and dignified enjoyment in return.
Bhishma addresses a brahmin warrior-teacher, asking him to put aside hostility (symbolized by unstringing the bow) and remain in the Kuru household as an honoured instructor, teaching the princes the proper use of weapons and missiles.