Shloka 143
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
उपतस्थुर्यथोद्यन्तमादित्यं मन्त्रकोविदा: । जैसे वेदमन्त्रोंके ज्ञाता ब्राह्मण उगते हुए सूर्यका उपस्थान करते हैं, उसी प्रकार प्रसन्न चित्त हुए समस्त पाण्डव कुरुश्रेष्ठ गड़ानन्दन भीष्मको प्रणाम करने लगे
upatasthur yathodyantam ādityaṃ mantrakovidāḥ |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Seperti para Brahmana yang mahir mantra suci menghormat dan menyembah matahari yang sedang terbit, demikianlah semua Pāṇḍava—dengan hati yang tenang—menunduk memberi sembah kepada Bhīṣma, yang terunggul dalam bangsa Kuru, putera Gaṅgā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic humility: true seekers of righteousness approach a venerable teacher with the same disciplined reverence shown in sacred ritual. Respect for elders and for sources of wisdom is presented as an ethical foundation, especially after conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes the Pāṇḍavas approaching Bhīṣma (Gaṅgā’s son, chief of the Kurus) and bowing to him with calm, reverent minds—likened to Brahmins performing the customary veneration of the rising sun—setting the tone for Bhīṣma’s ensuing instruction on dharma.