Shloka 8
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
प्राप्तकालं समाचक्षे भीष्मोडयमनुयुज्यताम् । अस्तमेति हि गाड़ेयो भानुमानिव भारत
prāptakālaṃ samācakṣe bhīṣmoḍayam anuyujyatām | astam eti hi gāḍeyo bhānumān iva bhārata ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “I point out that the proper time has arrived—let Bhīṣma, lying on his bed of arrows, be questioned. For he is now nearing his setting, O Bhārata, like the radiant sun.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses timeliness in seeking wisdom: when a great teacher is nearing the end of life, one should promptly inquire into dharma and right conduct, because the opportunity to learn will soon pass.
Vaiśaṃpāyana signals that the moment has come for the kings—especially Yudhiṣṭhira—to question Bhīṣma, who lies on the śaraśayyā and is approaching death; Bhīṣma is compared to the sun nearing its setting.