Shloka 16
दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
स ते वक्ष्यति धर्मज्ञ: सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित् । तमभ्येहि पुरा प्राणान् स विमुड्चति धर्मवित्
sa te vakṣyati dharmajñaḥ sūkṣma-dharmārtha-tattvavit | tam abhyēhi purā prāṇān sa vimuñcati dharmavit ||
He—Bhīṣma, knower of dharma, who understands the subtle truths of duty and practical good—will instruct you in righteousness. Go to him at once, before that wise man, versed in dharma, relinquishes his life-breaths.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Seek dharma-instruction from a qualified authority who knows both subtle duty (dharma) and practical welfare (artha), and do so without delay—before the opportunity is lost.
Vaiśampāyana indicates that Bhīṣma, renowned for discerning subtle principles of dharma and artha, is about to teach; therefore the listener (contextually, the king seeking guidance) should go to Bhīṣma immediately, before Bhīṣma gives up his life-breaths.