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 ||
Kemudian ia kembali memilih—hingga beribu-ribu—para resi Brahmana yang elok dan utama, serta banyak sahabat baik, untuk keperluan Bhīṣma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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).