Shloka 7
रहितं धिष्ण्यमालोक्य समुत्सार्य च रक्षिण: । पितेव पुत्र गाड़ेय: परिरभ्यैकपाणिना,उसकी बात सुनकर बंद नेत्रोंवाले बलवान् कुरुवृद्ध भीष्मने धीरेसे आँखें खोलकर देखा और उस स्थानको एकान्त देख पहरेदारोंको दूर हटाकर एक हाथसे कर्णका उसी प्रकार सस्नेह आलिंगन किया, जैसे पिता अपने पुत्रको गलेसे लगाता है। तत्पश्चात् उन्होंने इस प्रकार कहा--
sañjaya uvāca | rahitaṃ dhiṣṇyam ālokya samutsārya ca rakṣiṇaḥ | pitevā putraṃ gāḍheyaḥ parirabhyai kapāṇinā |
Sañjaya said: Seeing the chamber empty and having the guards withdrawn, the aged Bhishma embraced Karna with one hand, with deep affection—just as a father clasps his son. Then, in that privacy, he began to speak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the harsh setting of war, the epic highlights the ethical weight of counsel given in privacy and the human bonds that persist across political alignments. An elder’s affectionate yet serious approach frames the coming instruction as moral guidance, not mere tactics.
Sanjaya reports that Bhishma ensures the place is secluded by dismissing the guards, then warmly embraces Karna like a father would. This sets the stage for Bhishma to speak candidly to Karna, implying a confidential and consequential conversation.