Shloka 11
Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)
देवानां प्रतिपत्तिश्न सत्या साधुमता सदा । किमु दुःखार्णवं प्राप्प तस्मादर्चयतां गुरून्,“देवताओंकी आराधना साधु पुरुषोंके लिये सदा ही सत्य (उत्तम) है। फिर जो दु:ःखके समुद्रमें डूबा हुआ हो, उसके लिये तो कहना ही क्या है। अत: आप गुरुजनों और सम्पूर्ण देवताओंका पूजन करें, ब्राह्मणोंको पर्याप्त दक्षिणा दें और दशार्णराजके लौट जानेके लिये अग्नियोंमें होम करें
devānāṁ pratipattiś ca satyā sādhumatā sadā | kimu duḥkhārṇavaṁ prāpya tasmād arcayatāṁ gurūn ||
Bhīṣma said: “For the virtuous, reverent devotion to the gods is always a true and wholesome course. How much more so for one who has fallen into an ocean of sorrow! Therefore, honor your elders and teachers, and worship the gods.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches that reverence toward the gods and honoring one’s elders/teachers is a consistently ‘true’ and beneficial path for the righteous, and it becomes even more necessary when one is overwhelmed by suffering.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled setting, Bhishma addresses the listener with practical dharmic guidance: in a time of distress likened to an ocean of sorrow, one should take refuge in proper religious observance and respect for gurus.