Shloka 1
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
अपन क्रात बछ। अर: पज्चाशत्तमो<्ध्याय: श्रीकृष्णद्वारा भीष्मजीके गुण-प्रभावका सविस्तर वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो रामस्य तत् कर्म श्रुत्वा राजा युधिष्ठिर: । विस्मयं परमं गत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato rāmasya tat karma śrutvā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā pratyuvāca janārdanam ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Entonces el rey Yudhiṣṭhira, al oír aquella hazaña extraordinaria de Rāma (Paraśurāma), quedó colmado del mayor asombro y respondió a Janārdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). El verso enmarca un momento moral del relato: la admiración ante un poder excepcional se vuelve ocasión de indagar sobre la virtud, la influencia y la comprensión correcta de la grandeza.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic learning posture: extraordinary power or action should lead not to mere admiration but to thoughtful questioning and discernment. Yudhiṣṭhira’s wonder becomes the doorway to ethical reflection guided by Kṛṣṇa.
After hearing about Paraśurāma’s remarkable deed, Yudhiṣṭhira is deeply astonished and turns to Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana) to respond—setting up the ensuing discussion (in this chapter’s frame) about greatness, qualities, and their effects.