Shloka 8
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 30: Sañjaya’s Departure and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Commission of Greetings
तथा भीष्म शान्तनवं भारतानां पितामहम् । शिरसाभिवदेथास्त्वं मम नाम प्रकीर्तयन्,इसी तरह भरतवंशियोंके पितामह शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मजीको भी मेरा नाम लेते हुए सिर झुकाकर प्रणाम करना और प्रणामके पश्चात् हमारे उन पितामहसे इस प्रकार कहना -- दादाजी! आपने शान्तनुके डूबते हुए वंशका पुनरुद्धार किया था। अब फिर अपनी बुद्धिसे विचार करके कोई ऐसा काम कीजिये, जिससे आपके सभी पौत्र परस्पर प्रेमपूर्वक जीवन बिता सकें”
tathā bhīṣma śāntanavaṃ bhāratānāṃ pitāmaham | śirasābhivadethāstvaṃ mama nāma prakīrtayan | praṇāmaṃ kṛtvā ca tataḥ pitāmahaṃ tathā vada | dādāja! tvayā śāntanoḥ kulaṃ nimagnaṃ punaruddhṛtam | idānīm api buddhyā vicārya tathā karma vidhīyatām | yena sarve tava pautrāḥ parasparaṃ premṇā jīveyuḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Likewise, bow your head and pay reverence—uttering my name—to Bhīṣma, Śāntanu’s son, the grandsire of the Bhāratas. After offering obeisance, speak to that grandsire thus: ‘Grandfather! You once restored Śāntanu’s sinking lineage. Now again, reflect with your wisdom and undertake such a course that all your grandsons may live together in mutual love.’”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid looming conflict, dharma prioritizes respectful engagement with elders and the pursuit of reconciliation; wise action should aim at restoring harmony so that kin may live in mutual affection rather than enmity.
Yudhiṣṭhira instructs a messenger to salute Bhīṣma on his behalf and to urge him—remembering his past role in saving the dynasty—to deliberate and act so that the Kuru grandsons can live together in love, signaling a final attempt at peace before escalation.