Shloka 8
Ahiṃsā as Threefold Restraint (Mind–Speech–Action) and the Ethics of Consumption
ततो धर्मसुतो राजा भगवन्तं बृहस्पतिम् । उपगम्य यथान्यायं प्रश्न॑ पप्रच्छ तत्त्वतः,तदनन्तर धर्मपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरने भगवान् बृहस्पतिजीके समीप जाकर यथोचित रीतिसे यह तात्विक प्रश्न उपस्थित किया
tato dharmasuto rājā bhagavantaṃ bṛhaspatim upagamya yathānyāyaṃ praśnaṃ papraccha tattvataḥ |
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, approached the venerable Bṛhaspati in the proper manner and, seeking the truth of the matter, put forward his question with sincere intent.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models ethical inquiry: one should approach a qualified teacher with humility and proper conduct, and ask questions aimed at truth (tattvataḥ), not mere debate or display.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira goes to Bṛhaspati respectfully and poses a serious, principled question, setting up the ensuing instruction on dharma.