Shloka 10
Śānti Parva, Adhyāya 52 — Bhīṣma’s Humility Before Kṛṣṇa and the Granting of Boons
तत् क्षमस्व महाबाहो न ब्रूयां किंचिदच्युत । त्वत्संनिधौ च सीदेद्धि वाचस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन्
tat kṣamasva mahābāho na brūyāṃ kiñcid acyuta | tvat-saṃnidhau ca sīded dhi vācaspatiḥ api bruvan ||
«Pardonne-moi, ô toi aux bras puissants ; ô Acyuta, je ne puis rien proférer. En vérité, même Vācaspati (Bṛhaspati), tout en parlant, pourrait défaillir en ta présence ; que dire alors de mes propres forces ?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights humility and reverent restraint in speech: in the presence of a supremely revered figure (Acyuta), even the greatest master of eloquence could falter, so one should speak with modesty and awareness of one’s limits.
Vaiśampāyana addresses Acyuta with deference, asking forgiveness and expressing inability to speak adequately; he underscores this by saying that even Vācaspati (Bṛhaspati), famed as lord of speech, might become hesitant in Acyuta’s presence.