भीष्म उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । पितुः पुत्रेण संवाद तं निबोध युधिष्ठिर,भीष्मजीने कहा--युधिष्ठटिर! इस विषयमें ज्ञानी पुरुष पिता और पुत्रके संवादरूप इस प्राचीन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं। तुम उस संवादको ध्यान देकर सुनो
bhīṣma uvāca | atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam | pituḥ putreṇa saṃvādaṃ taṃ nibodha yudhiṣṭhira ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—युधिष्ठिरा! या विषयात ज्ञानीजन एक प्राचीन इतिहासाचे उदाहरण सांगतात—पिता आणि पुत्र यांचा संवाद. तो तू सावधपणे ऐक व समजून घे.
भीष्म उवाच
Bhishma frames his instruction through an authoritative precedent: ethical and dharmic guidance is often clarified by recalling an ancient illustrative story (itihāsa), here structured as a father–son dialogue meant to be heard with careful attention.
Bhishma signals a transition into an exemplifying tale. He tells Yudhishthira that wise people cite an old story in this matter and invites him to listen closely to the forthcoming conversation between a father and his son.