Shloka 1
ब्राह्मण–क्षत्रिय-श्रेष्ठता-विवादः
Arjuna–Vāyu Dialogue on Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya Precedence
ऑपन-माजल बछ। जज द्वात्रिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: दिग्गजोंका धर्मसम्बन्धी रहस्य एवं प्रभाव भीष्म उवाच ततः पद्मप्रतीकाश: पद्मोद्भूत: पितामह: । उवाच वचन देवान् वासवं च शचीपतिम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: tataḥ padmapratīkāśaḥ padmodbhūtaḥ pitāmahaḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ devān vāsavaṃ ca śacīpatim ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô roi ! Alors l’Aïeul — Brahmā, né du lotus et rayonnant tel un lotus — s’adressa aux dieux, ainsi qu’à Vāsava (Indra), seigneur de Śacī, en ces termes.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets an ethical frame of instruction: authoritative dharma-knowledge is conveyed through a revered elder (Brahmā) addressing the gods and Indra, implying that right conduct and its ‘secrets/effects’ are grounded in divine and traditional authority.
Bhīṣma transitions into a new episode: Brahmā, described as lotus-born and lotus-radiant, begins a formal address to the assembled gods and to Indra (Śacī’s lord), introducing the discourse that follows in the chapter.