Shloka 10
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
एष वृद्ध: पराल्लॉकान् सम्प्राप्रोति तनुं त्यजन् । तं शीघ्रमनुयुञ्जी ध्वं संशयान् मनसि स्थितान्
eṣa vṛddhaḥ parāllokān samprāproti tanuṃ tyajan | taṃ śīghram anuyuñjīdhvaṃ saṃśayān manasi sthitān ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Bhīṣma telah menjadi sangat tua; ia akan menanggalkan raganya dan mencapai alam-alam yang lebih tinggi. Karena itu, jangan menunda—tanyailah kepadanya keraguan yang masih tersimpan di dalam benak kalian.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Urgency in seeking dharma-knowledge: when a great teacher is near the end of life, one should promptly clarify lingering doubts, because such guidance shapes righteous conduct and governance.
Vaiśampāyana indicates that Bhīṣma is extremely old and nearing the moment of leaving his body and attaining higher realms; therefore the listeners are urged to quickly ask him the questions and doubts they still hold.