Shloka 8
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
दूरादेव तमालोक्य कृष्णो राजा च धर्मज: । चत्वार: पाण्डवाश्वैव ते च शारद्वतादय:
dūrād eva tam ālokya kṛṣṇo rājā ca dharmajaḥ | catvāraḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva te ca śāradvatādayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing him from afar, Kṛṣṇa and King Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira), along with the other four Pāṇḍavas and elders such as Śāradvata (Kṛpa), at once descended from their chariots. Restraining their restless minds and gathering their senses into focused attention, they approached and sat in attendance, offering service to the great sages seated there.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct through humility and inner discipline: true respect for spiritual elders is shown not only by outward gestures (dismounting, attending) but by restraining the mind and concentrating the senses, making oneself fit to receive instruction.
Kṛṣṇa, Yudhiṣṭhira, the other Pāṇḍavas, and elders like Kṛpa see an important person (and the assembly of great sages) from afar; they immediately get down from their chariots and approach with controlled minds and focused senses to sit near the sages and render service.