Shloka 21
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
तद् युधिष्छिर गाड़ेयं भीष्म॑ं भीमपराक्रमम् | अभिगम्योपसंगृहा[ पृच्छ यत् ते मनोगतम्
tad yudhiṣṭhira gāḍheyaṃ bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam | abhigamyopasaṅgṛhya pṛccha yat te manogatam ||
«Ainsi donc, ô Yudhiṣṭhira, approche-toi de Bhīṣma —ferme dans sa résolution et d’une grande prouesse— et, t’étant avancé près de lui et l’ayant servi avec respect, demande-lui tout ce qui est dans ton cœur.»
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Seek dharma through humble, respectful inquiry from a qualified elder. Moral and political dilemmas should be clarified by approaching those established in wisdom and experience, not by solitary speculation or pride.
Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) instructs Yudhiṣṭhira to go to Bhīṣma—renowned for strength and steadfastness—and, after paying due respect and attending upon him, to ask the questions weighing on his mind. This sets up Bhīṣma’s extended instruction in the Śānti Parva.