Shloka 24
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
जनार्दन! आपके निरन्तर चिन्तनसे मेरी शक्ति इतनी बढ़ गयी है कि मैं जवान-सा हो गया हूँ। आपके प्रसादसे अब मैं कल्याणकारी उपदेश देनेमें समर्थ हूँ ।।
janārdana! tava nirantara-cintanena mama śaktir evaṁ vardhitā yathāhaṁ yuvā iva jātaḥ. tava prasādena idānīṁ kalyāṇakara-upadeśa-dāne samartho 'smi. svayaṁ kimarthaṁ tu bhavān śreyo na prāha pāṇḍavam? kiṁ te vivakṣitaṁ cātra tad āśu vada, mādhava.
ビーシュマは言った。「ジャナールダナよ、あなたを絶えず念じ続けたことで、我が力は増し、まるで若さを取り戻したかのように感じる。あなたの恩寵により、いま私は福祉へ導く忠言を授けることができる。だが一つ知りたい。なぜあなたご自身が、パーンダヴァ（ユディシュティラ）に、真に益あることを直接お語りにならぬのか。マーダヴァよ、この件での御意を速やかに告げていただきたい。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true instruction (śreyas) is best delivered under divine sanction and proper role: Bhīṣma attributes his renewed capacity to teach to Kṛṣṇa’s grace, and asks why Kṛṣṇa chooses to have Bhīṣma serve as the instructor—underscoring humility, devotion, and the ethics of authoritative counsel.
In Śānti Parva, after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira seeks guidance on dharma and governance. Bhīṣma, lying on the bed of arrows, prepares to instruct him. Here Bhīṣma addresses Kṛṣṇa, saying that meditation on him has restored his vigor and asking why Kṛṣṇa does not personally give Yudhiṣṭhira the beneficial teaching, requesting Kṛṣṇa’s intention.