Shloka 127
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
इमं चाप्यपरं भूय इतिहासं निबोध मे । पितुर्मम सकाशे यद् ब्राह्मण: प्राह धर्मवित्,राजन्! आप मुझसे फिर यह दूसरा इतिहास भी सुनिये, जिसे एक धर्मज्ञ ब्राह्मणने मेरे पिताके समीप कहा था
imaṃ cāpy aparaṃ bhūya itihāsaṃ nibodha me | pitur mama sakāśe yad brāhmaṇaḥ prāha dharmavit rājān ||
Bhīṣma said: “Now hear from me yet another ancient account. O King, it is what a dharma-knowing brāhmaṇa once related in the presence of my father.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical instruction through itihāsa: dharma is best conveyed via authoritative tradition and the testimony of a dharma-knowing brāhmaṇa, especially when advising a king.
Bhīṣma, addressing the king, introduces a new illustrative story and notes its provenance: it was spoken by a learned brāhmaṇa in the presence of Bhīṣma’s father, lending weight and legitimacy to the forthcoming teaching.