Shloka 27
राजधर्मस्य नवनीतम्—रक्षा, दण्ड, चार, उत्थान
Rājadharma’s ‘Essence’: Protection, Punishment, Intelligence, and Royal Diligence
ततो दीनमना भीष्ममुवाच कुरुसत्तम: | नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णा भ्यां पादौ तस्य शनै:स्पृशन्
tato dīnamanaḥ bhīṣmam uvāca kurusattamaḥ | netrābhyām aśrupūrṇābhyāṃ pādau tasya śanaiḥ spṛśan |
Kemudian yang terbaik di antara para Kuru, dengan hati yang diliputi duka, berbicara kepada Bhīṣma. Dengan kedua mata penuh air mata, ia perlahan menyentuh kaki Bhīṣma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights humility and ethical seriousness: in moments of moral crisis and grief, one approaches a revered elder-teacher with reverence, acknowledging responsibility and seeking dharmic guidance rather than acting from pride or despair.
After the war, the Kuru leader (Yudhiṣṭhira) is overwhelmed with sorrow and approaches Bhīṣma, who lies on his bed of arrows. Tearful, he respectfully touches Bhīṣma’s feet and begins to speak, setting the stage for Bhīṣma’s instruction on dharma in the Śānti Parva.