Shloka 12

Devanagari script

कामन्दमृषिमासीनमभिवाद्य नराधिप: । आडज््रिष्ठो5थ पप्रच्छ कृत्वा समयपर्ययम्‌,एक समयकी बात है, कामन्दक ऋषि अपने आश्रममें बैठे थे। उन्हें प्रणाम करके राजा आंगरिष्ने प्रश्नके उपयुक्त समय देखकर पूछा--

Transliteration

Bhīṣma uvāca | Kāmandam ṛṣim āsīnam abhivādya narādhipaḥ | Āṅgāriṣṭho 'tha papraccha kṛtvā samaya-paryayam ||

Translation

Bhishma said: Once, the sage Kāmanda was seated in his hermitage. A king, having approached and paid him respectful homage, and after judging the proper occasion, then questioned him—seeking counsel in a timely and disciplined manner.

Word by Word

कामन्दकम्Kamandaka (name of the sage)

ऋषिम्sage

आसीनम्seated

अभिवाद्यhaving saluted

नराधिपःthe king (lord of men)

आङ्गिरिष्ठःĀṅgiriṣṭha (proper name, the king)

अथthen

पप्रच्छasked

कृत्वाhaving done/made

समयपर्ययम्the proper occasion/appropriate time (lit. the turn of time)

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Kāmanda (ṛṣi)

Āṅgāriṣṭha (king)

āśrama (hermitage)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

A ruler should approach the wise with reverence and self-discipline, and inquire only at the proper time and in the proper manner—showing humility, patience, and respect for counsel.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma introduces a traditional dialogue: the sage Kāmanda is seated in his hermitage; King Āṅgāriṣṭha salutes him and, after choosing an appropriate moment, asks him a question to receive guidance.