Shloka 3
Vetasa-Nīti: The Reed and the Flood (वेतस-नीति)
सुरारिनिलय: शश्चृत्सागर: सरिताम्पतिः । पप्रच्छ सरित: सर्वा: संशयं जातमात्मन:,एक समयकी बात है, दैत्योंके निवासस्थान और सरिताओंके स्वामी समुद्रने सम्पूर्ण नदियोंसे अपने मनका एक संदेह पूछा
surārinilayaḥ śaśvatsāgaraḥ saritāṃ patiḥ | papraccha saritaḥ sarvāḥ saṃśayaṃ jātam ātmanaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “The ever-abiding Ocean—lord of rivers and the abode of the enemies of the gods (the Daityas)—once questioned all the rivers, seeking to resolve a doubt that had arisen in his own mind.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic inquiry: when doubt arises, even a powerful figure seeks clarification from appropriate sources. Ethical understanding is presented as something to be questioned and refined, not assumed.
Bhishma introduces an episode in which the Ocean, described as the lord of rivers and the dwelling of the gods’ foes, gathers all rivers and asks them a question to resolve a personal doubt.