दानपात्रापात्र-निर्णयः / Determining Worthy Gifts, Recipients, and Permissible Food
श्रोतुमिच्छसि चेद् धर्म निखिलेन नराधिप । प्रैहि भीष्मं महाबाहो वृद्ध कुरूपितामहम्,“महाबाहु नरेश्वर! यदि तुम धर्मका पूर्णरूपसे विवेचन सुनना चाहते हो तो कुरुकुलके वृद्ध पितामह भीष्मके पास जाओ
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: śrotum icchasi ced dharma nikhilena narādhipa | praihi Bhīṣmaṃ mahābāho vṛddhaṃ Kurupitāmaham ||
हे नराधिप! यदि तुम धर्म का सम्पूर्ण रूप से श्रवण करना चाहते हो, तो हे महाबाहो, कुरुकुल के वृद्ध पितामह भीष्म के पास जाओ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Complete understanding of dharma should be sought from a recognized authority who embodies tradition and lived wisdom—here, Bhīṣma, the Kuru grandsire, is presented as the foremost teacher for an all-encompassing exposition of righteous duty.
In the frame dialogue, Vaiśampāyana directs the king who seeks a full account of dharma to approach Bhīṣma. This sets up Bhīṣma’s long instruction in the Śānti Parva, where post-war ethical and political duties are systematically taught.