Shloka 1
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके दो श्लोक मिलाकर कुल २५ श्लोक हैं) अपर < बक। है २ >> षट्त्रिशो5ध्याय: ब्राह्मणकी प्रशंसाके विषयमें इन्द्र और शम्बरासुरका संवाद भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । शक्रशम्बरसंवादं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठिर! इस विषयमें इन्द्र और शम्बरासुरके संवादरूप इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया जाता है, इसे सुनो
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | śakra-śambara-saṃvādaṃ tan nibodha yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhishma said: “Here too, an ancient precedent is cited. Listen, O Yudhishthira, to the old dialogue between Shakra (Indra) and the asura Shambara.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames ethical instruction through an authoritative precedent (itihasa): a traditional dialogue between Indra and the asura Shambara is introduced to illuminate the topic under discussion—here, the praise and significance of brahmins and related dharmic values.
Bhishma transitions into an illustrative story: he tells Yudhishthira that an ancient example is cited in this context and invites him to listen to the forthcoming conversation between Indra (Shakra) and Shambara.