Shloka 1
अफड-्#-रात अष्ट षष्ट्यांधेिकशततमोब& ध्याय: भीष्मजीका प्राणत्याग
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: evam uktvā kurūn sarvān bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavas tadā | tṛṣṇīṁ babhūva kauravyaḥ sa muhūrtam arindama ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having thus addressed all the Kurus, Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, then fell silent. O subduer of foes, the Kaurava lay quiet for a while—his pause marking the gravity of his final counsel and the solemn approach of his departure.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical weight of Bhīṣma’s instruction: after delivering counsel on dharma, he becomes silent, suggesting that true teaching is not merely speech but also solemn restraint, reflection, and readiness to face the consequences of one’s life and duties.
Vaiśampāyana narrates to King Janamejaya that Bhīṣma, having spoken to all the Kurus, stops speaking and remains quiet for a time—an interlude that signals the transition from discourse to the impending events surrounding his final departure.