Shloka 12
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
ततो निशाम्य गाड़ेयं शाम्यमानमिवानलम् । किंचिद् दीनमना भीष्ममिति होवाच केशव:
tato niśāmya gāḍeyaṃ śāmyamānam ivānalam | kiṃcid dīna-manā bhīṣmam iti hovāca keśavaḥ ||
Alors, voyant Bhīṣma—fils de la Gaṅgā—dont l’âme s’était quelque peu assombrie et qui paraissait tel un feu qui s’éteint, Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) s’adressa à lui en ces termes. Ainsi s’ouvre un enseignement destiné à affermir l’esprit et à ranimer la résolution dans la quête du dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical moment: when a wise elder’s inner strength wanes, compassionate and dharma-oriented counsel is timely. It highlights attentiveness to another’s mental state and the duty to restore clarity and resolve before instruction on dharma proceeds.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa notices Bhīṣma looking dejected, likened to a fire that is dying down, and then begins to speak to him—introducing the forthcoming dialogue and guidance in the Śānti Parva.