Shloka 1
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
अपन क्रात बछ। अर: पज्चाशत्तमो<्ध्याय: श्रीकृष्णद्वारा भीष्मजीके गुण-प्रभावका सविस्तर वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो रामस्य तत् कर्म श्रुत्वा राजा युधिष्ठिर: । विस्मयं परमं गत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato rāmasya tat karma śrutvā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā pratyuvāca janārdanam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard of that extraordinary deed of Rāma (Paraśurāma), was filled with the greatest wonder and replied to Janārdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). The verse frames a moral-narrative moment: awe at exceptional prowess becomes the occasion for inquiry into virtue, influence, and the right understanding of greatness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic learning posture: extraordinary power or action should lead not to mere admiration but to thoughtful questioning and discernment. Yudhiṣṭhira’s wonder becomes the doorway to ethical reflection guided by Kṛṣṇa.
After hearing about Paraśurāma’s remarkable deed, Yudhiṣṭhira is deeply astonished and turns to Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana) to respond—setting up the ensuing discussion (in this chapter’s frame) about greatness, qualities, and their effects.