Shloka 5
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
तथावृत्तौ कथां तात तावच्युतयुधिष्ठिरौ । जम्मतुर्यत्र गाड़ेयः शरतल्पगत: प्रभु:
tathāvṛttau kathāṃ tāta tāv acyutayudhiṣṭhirau | jagmatur yatra gāṅgeyaḥ śaratālpagataḥ prabhuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : « Ô mon cher, tandis que leur entretien se poursuivait ainsi, Yudhiṣṭhira et Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa) se rendirent au lieu où le puissant Bhīṣma, fils de la Gaṅgā, reposait sur son lit de flèches. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
This verse frames the ethical setting for Bhīṣma’s forthcoming instruction: after the devastation of war, the rightful king (Yudhiṣṭhira) approaches a revered elder (Bhīṣma) to seek guidance on dharma and governance, showing that authority should be tempered by counsel, humility, and moral inquiry.
While conversing, Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa arrive at the spot where Bhīṣma—called Gāṅgeya, the son of Gaṅgā—lies wounded on his famous bed of arrows, preparing the scene for the Shānti Parva’s extended discourse on duty, peace, and righteous rule.