Shloka 11
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ऋते शान्तनवाद् भीष्मात् सत्यसंधाज्जितेन्द्रियात् । तदन्विष्य महाभाग सर्वमेतद् वदस्व मे
ṛte śāntanavād bhīṣmāt satyasaṃdhāj jitendriyāt | tad anvīṣya mahābhāga sarvam etad vadasva me, paraṃtapa pitāmaha ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Salvo Bhīṣma, hijo de Śāntanu —firme en la verdad y dueño de sus sentidos— no hay nadie que pueda exponer de veras este asunto. Por ello, oh muy afortunado, tras investigarlo con cuidado, dímelo todo, oh abrasador de enemigos, oh Abuelo. Esta empresa es la más alta entre todas; y raro, en verdad, es quien sea digno de oírla.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes epistemic humility and ethical authority: profound dharma is best learned from a qualified teacher—one grounded in truth (satyasaṃdha) and self-mastery (jitendriya). It also highlights that the highest duties require careful inquiry (anvīṣya) and a worthy listener.
In the Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, turns to Bhīṣma lying on the bed of arrows. He declares Bhīṣma uniquely qualified to explain the matter at hand and requests a complete, carefully considered exposition.