Shloka 14
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
एवमुक्त: पाण्डवेन भगवान् केशवस्तदा । अभिगम्य दुराधर्ष प्रव्याहारयदच्युत:
evaṁ uktaḥ pāṇḍavena bhagavān keśavas tadā | abhigamya durādharṣaḥ pravyāhārayad acyutaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Lorsque le Pāṇḍava eut parlé ainsi, le Bienheureux Keśava, inébranlable dans sa juste retenue, s’approcha de l’invincible Bhīṣma et commença à lui adresser la parole—mettant en mouvement un dialogue destiné à éclairer le devoir et la conduite droite en un temps d’épreuve morale.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry as requiring proper approach to authority: after Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, Kṛṣṇa respectfully goes to the formidable elder Bhīṣma to initiate discourse, implying that dharma is clarified through disciplined dialogue with those who embody experience and moral weight.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, in response to Yudhiṣṭhira, Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta/Keśava) goes near Bhīṣma—described as difficult to overcome—and begins speaking with him, preparing the ground for Bhīṣma’s extended instruction on dharma in the Śānti Parva.