Shloka 2
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । ब्राह्मणस्य च संवादं यमस्य च युधिष्ठिर,भीष्मजीने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! इस विषयमें ब्राह्मण और यमके संवादरूप प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया जाता है
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | brāhmaṇasya ca saṁvādaṁ yamasya ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhishma said: “Here too, O Yudhishthira, an ancient precedent is cited—an old tale in the form of a dialogue between a Brahmin and Yama. It is brought forward as an illustrative example for this very matter.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that dharma is best clarified through authoritative precedents: an ancient illustrative story (itihāsa) is introduced to ground ethical reasoning in a recognized example rather than mere opinion.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative episode for Yudhishthira, announcing that he will recount an old tale structured as a dialogue between a Brahmin and Yama, which will serve as an example relevant to the ongoing discussion of conduct and duty.