Shloka 2
गोप्रदान-माहात्म्ये गोलोक-प्रश्नः
Gopradāna-Māhātmya: Inquiry into Goloka
भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । ब्राह्मणस्य च संवादं यमस्य च युधिष्ठिर,भीष्मजीने कहा--युधिष्ठिर! इस विषयमें ब्राह्मण और यमके संवादरूप प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया जाता है
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṁ purātanam | brāhmaṇasya ca saṁvādaṁ yamasya ca yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ici encore, ô Yudhiṣṭhira, on cite un précédent ancien : un récit des temps antiques, sous forme de dialogue entre un brahmane et Yama. On l’avance comme exemple pour éclairer précisément cette question.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma signals that dharma is best clarified through authoritative precedents: an ancient illustrative story (itihāsa) is introduced to ground ethical reasoning in a recognized example rather than mere opinion.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative episode for Yudhishthira, announcing that he will recount an old tale structured as a dialogue between a Brahmin and Yama, which will serve as an example relevant to the ongoing discussion of conduct and duty.