Shloka 16
एकान्तिधर्म-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into Ekāntin Dharma) / The Origin and Practice of Single-Pointed Nārāyaṇa-Centered Discipline
भीष्म उवाच विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजन् श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ । यैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि सा मता
bhīṣma uvāca vistīrṇaiṣā kathā rājan śrutā me pitṛsaṃnidhau | yaiṣā tava hi vaktavyā kathāsāro hi sā matā ||
Bhishma said: “O King, this tale is exceedingly extensive; I heard it in the presence of my father. Yet the account that must be told to you now is regarded as the very essence of all narratives—condensed to convey its moral import without needless expansion.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes that while traditions may be vast, what matters for ethical guidance is the distilled essence (kathāsāra) suitable to the listener’s present need; authoritative teaching is also grounded in faithful transmission from elders.
Bhishma addresses the king and prefaces his instruction by noting he once heard a much longer version from his father; he will now present a concise, essential version for the king’s benefit.