Shloka 1
Cyavana’s Water-Vow and the Ethics of Cohabitation (स्नेह-सम्वास-धर्मः)
अि-क्राछ सप्तचत्वारिशो< ध्याय: ब्राह्मण आदि वर्णोकी दायभाग-विधिका वर्णन युधिछिर उवाच सर्वशास्त्रविधानज्ञ राजधर्मविदुत्तम । अतीव संशयच्छेत्ता भवान् वै प्रथित: क्षितौ,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--सम्पूर्ण शास्त्रोंके विधानके ज्ञाता तथा राजधर्मके दिद्वानोंमें श्रेष्ठ पितामह! आप इस भूमण्डलमें सम्पूर्ण संशयोंका सर्वथा निवारण करनेके लिये प्रसिद्ध हैं। मेरे हृदयमें एक संशय और है, उसका मेरे लिये समाधान कीजिये। राजन्! इस उत्पन्न हुए संशयके विषयमें मैं दूसरे किसीसे नहीं पूछूँगा
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—sarvaśāstravidhānajña rājadharmaviduttama | atīva saṁśayacchettā bhavān vai prathitaḥ kṣitau | mama hṛdaye 'paraḥ saṁśayo jātaḥ; tasya me samādhānaṁ kuru | rājan, asmin jāte saṁśaye 'haṁ nānyam kañcid pṛcchāmi ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O grandsire, you who know the ordinances of all the śāstras and are foremost among those learned in the duties of kings—on this earth you are renowned as one who decisively cuts through doubts. Yet another doubt has arisen in my heart; resolve it for me. O King, regarding this doubt that has arisen, I will ask no one else.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: when moral and legal uncertainty arises, one should seek clarification from a truly learned and ethically authoritative teacher, especially in matters of governance and śāstric duty.
Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully addresses the grandsire (Bhīṣma) as the supreme expert in śāstra and rājadharma, praises his ability to dispel doubts, and requests the resolution of a new doubt, declaring he will consult no one else on this matter.