Shloka 2
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Public Request for Consent to Enter the Forest (अनुज्ञा-प्रार्थना)
तथा ततो5भिरूपान् भीष्माय ब्राह्मणानृषिसत्तमान् | पुत्रार्थे सुहृदश्नैव स समीक्ष्य सहस्रश:
tathā tato 'bhirūpān bhīṣmāya brāhmaṇān ṛṣisattamān | putrārthe suhṛdaiś caiva sa samīkṣya sahasraśaḥ ||
तदनन्तर उसने भीष्म के निमित्त पुनः-पुनः सहस्रों की संख्या में रूपवान् और श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मण-ऋषियों तथा अनेक सुहृदों को देखकर चुन लिया।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic approach to major life-goals: decisions about lineage and continuity should be made with careful consideration, guided by learned Brahmin sages and supported by trustworthy well-wishers, emphasizing propriety and responsible deliberation.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a figure (referred to as 'he') repeatedly selects large numbers of eminent Brahmin sages and friends, choosing them for Bhīṣma with the intention connected to obtaining offspring (putrārtha).