Shloka 1
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
अत-#-#क+ षड्विशो<5ध्याय: श्रीगड़ाजीके माहात्म्यका वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच बृहस्पतिसमं बुद्ध्या क्षमया ब्रह्मण: समम् । पराक्रमे शक्रसममादित्यसमतेजसम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! जो बुद्धिमें बृहस्पतिके, क्षमामें ब्रह्माजीके, पराक्रममें इन्द्रके और तेजमें सूर्यके समान थे, अपनी मर्यादासे कभी च्युत न होनेवाले वे महातेजस्वी गड़ानन्दन भीष्मजी जब अर्जुनके हाथसे मारे जाकर युद्धमें वीरशय्यापर पड़े हुए कालकी बाट जोह रहे थे और भाइयों तथा अन्य लोगोंसहित राजा युधिष्ठिर उनसे तरह- तरहके प्रश्न कर रहे थे, उसी समय बहुत-से दिव्य महर्षि भीष्मजीको देखनेके लिये आये
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bṛhaspati-samaṁ buddhyā kṣamayā brahmaṇaḥ samam | parākrame śakra-samam āditya-sama-tejasam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O Janamejaya, Bhīṣma—the mighty son of Gaṅgā—was endowed with an intellect like Bṛhaspati’s, patience like Brahmā’s, valor like Śakra’s, and radiance like the Sun’s. Never straying from his own code, he lay upon the hero’s bed of arrows after being struck down by Arjuna, awaiting the appointed time. As King Yudhiṣṭhira, with his brothers and others, questioned him in many ways, numerous divine seers arrived to behold Bhīṣma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes Bhīṣma’s moral authority by portraying him as the embodiment of wisdom, patience, valor, and spiritual radiance. This framing signals that the forthcoming instruction in dharma is grounded in exemplary character and steadfast adherence to one’s vowed conduct, even amid the aftermath of war.
After being felled by Arjuna, Bhīṣma lies on the bed of arrows awaiting the destined time of death. Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers and others, approaches and questions him on various matters, while many divine sages arrive to witness Bhīṣma and the impending discourse.