Shloka 34
Pāṇḍu’s Marriages, Conquests, and Triumphal Return (पाण्डोर्विवाह-विजय-प्रत्यागमनम्)
भ्राता विचित्रवीर्यस्य यथा वा पुत्र मन्यसे । अयं शान्तनव: सत्यं पालयन् सत्यविक्रम:
bhrātā vicitravīryasya yathā vā putra manyase | ayaṃ śāntanavaḥ satyaṃ pālayan satyavikramaḥ |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Oh hijo, según tu propio juicio, tú eres en verdad hermano de Vicitravīrya. Este Śāntanava (Bhīṣma), firme en la verdad y valiente en la verdad, está sosteniendo la verdad».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) as a governing dharma: Bhīṣma is praised as one who maintains truth in word and conduct, implying that ethical legitimacy rests on fidelity to truth and duty.
In the ongoing discussion about family relations and rightful status, the speaker affirms the brotherhood connection to Vicitravīrya and points to Bhīṣma—Śāntanava—as the exemplar who is presently upholding the truth in this matter.