Shloka 10
Śānti Parva, Adhyāya 52 — Bhīṣma’s Humility Before Kṛṣṇa and the Granting of Boons
तत् क्षमस्व महाबाहो न ब्रूयां किंचिदच्युत । त्वत्संनिधौ च सीदेद्धि वाचस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन्,“महाबाहो! क्षमा कीजिये। मैं बोल नहीं सकता। आपके निकट प्रवचन करनेमें बृहस्पतिजी भी शिथिल हो सकते हैं; फिर मेरी क्या बिसात है?
tat kṣamasva mahābāho na brūyāṃ kiñcid acyuta | tvat-saṃnidhau ca sīded dhi vācaspatiḥ api bruvan ||
“Forgive me, mighty-armed one; O Acyuta, I cannot utter anything. Indeed, even Vācaspati (Bṛhaspati), though speaking, might falter in your very presence—what then can be said of my own capacity?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights humility and reverent restraint in speech: in the presence of a supremely revered figure (Acyuta), even the greatest master of eloquence could falter, so one should speak with modesty and awareness of one’s limits.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Acyuta with deference, asking forgiveness and expressing inability to speak adequately; he underscores this by saying that even Vācaspati (Bṛhaspati), famed as lord of speech, might become hesitant in Acyuta’s presence.