Shloka 2

Kṣemadarśa–Kālakavṛkṣīya Saṃvāda: Counsel on Impermanence, Non-attachment, and Composure in Dispossession

Devanagari script

भीष्म उवाच अत्रायं क्षेमदर्शीय इतिहासो5नुगीयते । तत्‌ ते5हं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | atrāyaṃ kṣemadarśīya itihāso 'nugīyate | tat te 'haṃ sampravakṣyāmi tan nibodha yudhiṣṭhira ||

Translation

Bhishma said: “Here, in this very matter, a well-known ancient account—one that reveals the path of welfare and security—is repeatedly recited in the world. I shall relate it to you; listen with focused attention, O Yudhishthira.”

Word by Word

• {'atra': 'here

• in this context/matter', 'ayam': 'this', 'kṣema-darśī': 'showing welfare, safety, peace

• indicating what leads to well-being', 'itihāsaḥ': 'traditional historical narrative

• exemplary ancient account', 'anugīyate': 'is sung/recited repeatedly

• is retold', 'tat': 'that (account/teaching)', 'te': 'to you', 'aham': 'I', 'sampravakṣyāmi': 'I will explain fully

• I will relate in detail', 'tan': 'that

• therefore (referring to what is to be heard)', 'nibodha': 'understand

• listen attentively and grasp', 'yudhiṣṭhira': 'O Yudhishthira'}

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Yudhishthira

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhishma frames the instruction through an itihāsa (exemplary ancient narrative) that is ‘kṣemadarśī’—meant to reveal what leads to welfare, safety, and stable well-being. The verse emphasizes attentive listening and learning dharma through time-tested stories.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma begins a new illustrative story within his counsel to Yudhishthira. He announces that a widely recited, beneficial account is relevant to the present discussion and promises to narrate it, urging Yudhishthira to listen carefully.