Shloka 11
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
पवित्राणां पवित्र च यत् तद् ब्रूहि पितर्मम । एतच्छुत्वा तु वचन व्यास: परमधर्मवित् पुत्रायाकथयत् सर्व तत्त्वेन भरतर्षभ
pavitrāṇāṁ pavitraṁ ca yat tad brūhi pitar mama | etac chrutvā tu vacanaṁ vyāsaḥ paramadharmavit putrāyākathayat sarvaṁ tattvena bharatarṣabha ||
Bhishma dijo: “Padre, dime cuál es lo más purificador entre todos los purificadores. Descríbeme todo esto.” Oh toro entre los Bharatas, al oír las palabras de su hijo, Vyasa—conocedor del dharma supremo—le explicó todo con verdad y plenitud.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes the ethical-spiritual problem: among all means of purification, there is a supreme purifier. It emphasizes sincere inquiry and the role of a qualified teacher (Vyasa, 'knower of highest dharma') who responds with a complete and truthful explanation (tattvena).
A son (Shuka) asks his father (Vyasa) to identify and explain the most purifying principle or practice. The narrator addresses the listener as 'bharatarṣabha' and reports that Vyasa, renowned for dharma-knowledge, proceeds to teach his son in full detail.