Shloka 7
Nārada–Vāyu–Śalmali Upākhyāna: Enmity with the Strong and the Primacy of Buddhi (नारद-वायु-शल्मलि उपाख्यानम्)
तत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्यामि धर्मस्यास्योपबृंहणम् । दह्यमान: पापकृत्या जगाम जनमेजय:
tatretihāsaṁ vakṣyāmi dharmasyāsyopabṛṁhaṇam | dahyamānaḥ pāpakṛtyā jagāma janamejayaḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Di sini akan kuceritakan sebuah kisah purba yang makin menerangi dharma ini.” Disiksa oleh bara akibat perbuatan dosa, Raja Janamejaya pun berangkat (mencari kelegaan dan pemahaman yang benar).
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is clarified and strengthened through illustrative narratives (itihāsa). Ethical understanding is not only theoretical; it is deepened by seeing how wrongdoing produces inner torment and prompts a search for correction.
Bhīṣma announces that he will now tell an instructive ancient account to explain the dharma under discussion. He introduces King Janamejaya as someone distressed by the effects of sinful action, who then goes forth—implying a quest for remedy, counsel, or expiation.