Shloka 1
अध्याय ४ — भीष्मेन कर्णोत्साहनम्
Bhīṣma’s Encouragement of Karṇa
ऑपन--#हू< बक। ] अति: चतुथों5 ध्याय: भीष्मजीका कर्णको प्रोत्साहन देकर युद्धके लिये भेजना तथा कर्णके आगमनसे कौरवोंका हर्षोल्लास संजय उवाच तस्य लालप्यत: श्रुत्वा कुरुवृद्ध: पितामह: । देशकालोचितं वाक्यमन्रवीत् प्रीतमानस:
sañjaya uvāca | tasya lālapyataḥ śrutvā kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ | deśakālocitaṃ vākyam anvabravīt prītamānasaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing him speak at length, the grandsire Bhīṣma—elder of the Kurus—replied with words suited to the place and the time, his mind pleased. The scene frames counsel in war as something that must still observe propriety (what is fitting to context), even amid impending violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, speech and decision-making should be guided by deśa-kāla (context): what is fitting to the moment, the setting, and one’s role. The verse highlights responsible counsel—measured words rather than impulsive reaction.
Sañjaya narrates that after hearing someone speak at length, Bhīṣma—the senior Kuru leader—responds. This introduces Bhīṣma’s forthcoming counsel/encouragement within the war setting.