Shloka 1
Adhyāya 39 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry on attachment (saṅga) and relational restraint
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके दो श्लोक मिलाकर कुल २५ श्लोक हैं) अपर < बक। है २ >> षट्त्रिशो5ध्याय: ब्राह्मणकी प्रशंसाके विषयमें इन्द्र और शम्बरासुरका संवाद भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । शक्रशम्बरसंवादं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | śakra-śambara-saṃvādaṃ tan nibodha yudhiṣṭhira ||
Bhishma berkata: “Di sini pun dikemukakan sebuah teladan dari kisah purba. Dengarkanlah, wahai Yudhishthira, dialog lama antara Shakra (Indra) dan asura Shambara.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames ethical instruction through an authoritative precedent (itihasa): a traditional dialogue between Indra and the asura Shambara is introduced to illuminate the topic under discussion—here, the praise and significance of brahmins and related dharmic values.
Bhishma transitions into an illustrative story: he tells Yudhishthira that an ancient example is cited in this context and invites him to listen to the forthcoming conversation between Indra (Shakra) and Shambara.