Shloka 1
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत शान्तिपर्वके अन्तर्गत आपद्धर्मपर्वमें पड़ुजगीताविषयक एक सौ सरसठवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ १६७ ॥/ ऑपन--माजल बछ। अल अष्ट षष्ट्यांधेिकशततमोब<& ध्याय: मित्र बनाने एवं न बनाने योग्य पुरुषोंके लक्षण तथा कृतघ्न गौतमकी कथाका आरम्भ युधिछिर उवाच पितामह महाप्राज्ञ कुरूणां प्रीतिवर्धन । प्रश्न॑ कज्चित् प्रवक्ष्यामि तन्मे व्याख्यातुमरहसि,युधिष्ठिरने कहा--कौरवकुलकी प्रीति बढ़ानेवाले महाज्ञानी पितामह! मैं कुछ और प्रश्न आपके सामने उपस्थित कर रहा हूँ। मेरे उन प्रश्नोंका विवेचन कीजिये
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: Pitāmaha mahāprājña Kūrūṇāṁ prītivardhana, praśnaṁ kañcit pravakṣyāmi tan me vyākhyātum arhasi.
Yudhishthira said: “O Grandfather, supremely wise one, who increases the harmony and affection of the Kuru line—I shall pose another question. Please be pleased to explain it to me.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic learning: a ruler approaches a venerable authority with humility and a clear request for explanation, emphasizing that ethical knowledge is sought through respectful inquiry and careful exposition.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Yudhishthira addresses Bhīṣma as the wise elder of the Kurus and introduces a new line of questioning, leading into discussion on discerning whom to befriend and whom to avoid (and related moral exempla).