Shloka 3
आत्मदर्शन-उपदेशः (Ātma-darśana Upadeśa) — Mind, Senses, and the All-pervading Self
यदि तेअनुग्रहे बुद्धिरस्मास्विह सतां वर । एतदू भवन्तं पृच्छामि तद् भवानू प्रब्रवीतु मे
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: yadi te ’nugrahe buddhir asmāsv iha satāṃ vara, etad eva bhavantaṃ pṛcchāmi; tad bhavān prabravītu me.
युधिष्ठिर ने कहा—हे सत्पुरुषों में श्रेष्ठ पितामह! यदि हम पर अनुग्रह करने की आपकी बुद्धि है, तो मैं यही प्रश्न आपसे पूछता हूँ; कृपा करके इसका उत्तर मुझे बताइए।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the ethical posture of a seeker: humility, clarity of inquiry, and respect for a moral authority. Yudhiṣṭhira frames his question as a request for guidance grounded in the elder’s compassion (anugraha), emphasizing that true instruction is given for the welfare of the listener.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the revered elder (Bhīṣma) and formally asks him to answer a specific question. It is the opening move of a didactic exchange where Bhīṣma will articulate teachings on dharma and right conduct.