Shloka 1
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
अत-#-#क+ षड्विशो<5ध्याय: श्रीगड़ाजीके माहात्म्यका वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच बृहस्पतिसमं बुद्ध्या क्षमया ब्रह्मण: समम् । पराक्रमे शक्रसममादित्यसमतेजसम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bṛhaspati-samaṁ buddhyā kṣamayā brahmaṇaḥ samam | parākrame śakra-samam āditya-sama-tejasam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Janamejaya, Bhīṣma—putra Gaṅgā yang perkasa—berakal bagaikan Bṛhaspati, berhati sabar bagaikan Brahmā, gagah bagaikan Śakra, dan bercahaya bagaikan Sang Surya; tak pernah menyimpang dari batas dharmanya. Setelah dipanah oleh Arjuna, ia terbaring di ranjang para pahlawan, ranjang anak panah, menanti saat yang telah ditetapkan. Ketika itu Raja Yudhiṣṭhira, bersama saudara-saudaranya dan yang lain, mengajukan kepadanya berbagai pertanyaan; maka banyak maharṣi ilahi pun datang untuk memandang Bhīṣma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes Bhīṣma’s moral authority by portraying him as the embodiment of wisdom, patience, valor, and spiritual radiance. This framing signals that the forthcoming instruction in dharma is grounded in exemplary character and steadfast adherence to one’s vowed conduct, even amid the aftermath of war.
After being felled by Arjuna, Bhīṣma lies on the bed of arrows awaiting the destined time of death. Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers and others, approaches and questions him on various matters, while many divine sages arrive to witness Bhīṣma and the impending discourse.