Shloka 50
मृत्यु-काल-प्रबोधनम् (Instruction on Mortality, Time, and Truth) — Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva 169
निर्धनो5स्मि द्विजश्रेष्ठ नापि वेदविदप्यहम् । वित्तार्थमिह सम्प्राप्तं विद्धि मां द्विजसत्तम
nirdhano ’smi dvijaśreṣṭha nāpi vedavid apy aham | vittārtham iha samprāptaṁ viddhi māṁ dvijasattama ||
“Wahai yang terbaik di antara kaum dwija, aku miskin, dan aku pun bukan seorang yang mengetahui Weda. Maka, wahai yang utama di antara kaum dwija, ketahuilah bahwa aku datang ke sini demi mencari harta.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical candor: one should speak truthfully about one’s status and motives. It also highlights a dharmic tension—material need can drive action, yet integrity requires admitting one’s limitations (poverty, lack of Vedic learning) rather than claiming unearned authority.
Bhīṣma addresses a brāhmaṇa respectfully and states plainly that he is poor and not a Veda-knower, and that he has come with the practical aim of obtaining wealth. The line functions as a self-disclosure that frames the ensuing discussion about conduct and livelihood.