Shloka 3
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
न हि धर्म परं जातु नावबुध्येत पार्थिव: । भीष्म: शान्तनवस्त्वेनं मावमंस्थास्त्वमन्यथा,'शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मजी धर्मके तत्त्वको न जानते हों ऐसी बात नहीं है, अतः तुम इनका अनादर न करो
na hi dharma-paraṁ jātu nāvabudhyeta pārthivaḥ | bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavas tv enaṁ māvamamsthās tvam anyathā ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Un rey consagrado al dharma no sería jamás, en ningún momento, ignorante de lo que el dharma es en verdad. Bhīṣma, hijo de Śāntanu, lo comprende; por ello no lo trates con desprecio ni lo deshonres: no obres de otro modo.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True commitment to dharma implies discernment of dharma’s principles; therefore, a dharma-centered elder like Bhīṣma should be approached with reverence, not contempt. Ethical governance includes honoring wise counsel and senior authority.
In the royal assembly context of the Sabha Parva, Vaiśampāyana underscores Bhīṣma’s moral authority, warning a king not to slight him. The verse functions as a corrective: Bhīṣma is not ignorant of dharma, so dismissing him would be improper.