Shloka 1
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
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Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—Pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada | śrutaṃ me mahad ākhyānam idaṃ matimatāṃ vara ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Oh abuelo venerable, de gran sabiduría y versado en todos los śāstras; oh el mejor entre los prudentes: he escuchado con atenta dedicación este gran y sagrado relato.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dhārmic learning: one should approach an authoritative elder-teacher with humility, acknowledge their śāstric mastery, and receive ethical instruction through attentive listening to instructive narratives.
After hearing a significant upākhyāna (didactic account), Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma respectfully, affirming that he has carefully listened—setting the stage for further questions and guidance on dharma in the Anuśāsana Parva.