Shloka 11
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्ते नारदेन भीष्ममीयुर्नराधिपा: । प्रष्टं चाशक्नुवन्तस्ते वीक्षांचक्रु: परस्परम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam ukte nāradena bhīṣmam īyur narādhipāḥ | praṣṭuṃ ca aśaknuvantas te vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ parasparam |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Cuando Nārada hubo hablado así, los reyes se acercaron a Bhīṣma. Pero no pudieron decidirse a interrogarlo; en cambio, se miraron unos a otros, cada cual esperando que otro hablara primero, mostrando su vacilación ante el venerable anciano y la gravedad del dharma que anhelaban comprender.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical posture required for receiving dharma-instruction: humility and reverence. Even powerful kings feel the weight of approaching a venerable authority like Bhīṣma, and their hesitation underscores that questions about dharma are serious and demand inner readiness, not mere curiosity.
After Nārada’s statement, the assembled kings come near Bhīṣma intending to inquire. However, none dares to begin; they exchange glances, each expecting another to ask first, setting the stage for Bhīṣma’s forthcoming instruction.