Shloka 36
तमुवाच तत:ः पादौ कराभ्यां पीड्य पाण्डव: । भीष्मं शान्तनवं राजा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्,वहाँ जाकर उन पाण्डुनन्दन राजा युधिष्ठिरने अपने दोनों हाथोंसे पितामहके चरणोंको दबाया और युद्धके लिये उपस्थित हुए उन शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मसे इस प्रकार कहा
tam uvāca tataḥ pādau karābhyāṃ pīḍya pāṇḍavaḥ | bhīṣmaṃ śāntanavaṃ rājā yuddhāya samupasthitam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian raja Pāṇḍava, sambil menekan kaki datuk agung itu dengan kedua-dua tangan sebagai tanda hormat, berbicara kepada Bhīṣma, putera Śantanu, yang berdiri siap untuk berperang. Adegan ini menegaskan ketegangan etika perang: walau pertikaian tidak dapat dielakkan, raja-pejuang tetap memelihara dharma melalui kerendahan hati, penghormatan kepada orang tua, serta memohon izin atau restu sebelum menumpahkan kekerasan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in unavoidable conflict, dharma is upheld through humility and reverence: the righteous king honors the elder and seeks moral clarity/permission before engaging in battle, showing that ethical conduct does not cease in wartime.
On the battlefield preparations, Yudhiṣṭhira approaches Bhīṣma, respectfully presses/clasps his feet with both hands, and then speaks to him as Bhīṣma stands ready to fight—highlighting the familial and moral complexity of the Kurukṣetra war.