Shloka 5
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
“जिनके यशका प्रताप सर्वत्र छा रहा है, उन समस्त धर्माचारी कौरवोंमें जिनकी समानता करनेवाला कोई नहीं है, वे पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर मुझसे प्रश्न करें ।। धृतिर्दमो ब्रह्मचर्य क्षमा धर्मश्न नित्यदा । यस्मिन्नोजश्न तेजश्व स मां पृच्छतु पाण्डव:,“जिनमें धैर्य, इन्द्रियसंयम, ब्रह्मचर्य, क्षमा, धर्म, ओज और तेज सदा विद्यमान रहते हैं, वे पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर मुझसे प्रश्न करें
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
dhṛtir damo brahmacaryaṃ kṣamā dharmaś ca nityadā |
yasminn ojaś ca tejaś ca sa māṃ pṛcchatu pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Let that Pāṇḍava—Yudhiṣṭhira—in whom steadfastness, self-restraint, celibate discipline, forbearance, and dharma are ever present, and in whom vigor and spiritual radiance abide, put his questions to me. His fame and moral power spread everywhere; among the righteous Kauravas none equals him—therefore let him inquire.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ideal moral qualifications for inquiry into dharma: steadfastness (dhṛti), self-restraint (dama), disciplined conduct (brahmacarya), forbearance (kṣamā), and unwavering commitment to dharma, supported by inner vigor (ojas) and spiritual radiance (tejas). It implies that true questioning about ethics should arise from a character grounded in these virtues.
Vaiśampāyana introduces Yudhiṣṭhira as uniquely qualified—renowned and ethically exemplary—and invites him to ask questions. This serves as a transition into instruction: the teacher signals readiness to respond to the king’s dharma-centered inquiries.