Shloka 3
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
न हि धर्म परं जातु नावबुध्येत पार्थिव: । भीष्म: शान्तनवस्त्वेनं मावमंस्थास्त्वमन्यथा,'शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मजी धर्मके तत्त्वको न जानते हों ऐसी बात नहीं है, अतः तुम इनका अनादर न करो
na hi dharma-paraṁ jātu nāvabudhyeta pārthivaḥ | bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavas tv enaṁ māvamamsthās tvam anyathā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Seorang raja yang berpegang pada dharma tidak akan, pada bila-bila masa, jahil akan hakikat dharma. Bhīṣma, putera Śāntanu, memahaminya; maka jangan engkau menghina atau memandang rendah baginda—jangan bertindak sebaliknya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True commitment to dharma implies discernment of dharma’s principles; therefore, a dharma-centered elder like Bhīṣma should be approached with reverence, not contempt. Ethical governance includes honoring wise counsel and senior authority.
In the royal assembly context of the Sabha Parva, Vaiśampāyana underscores Bhīṣma’s moral authority, warning a king not to slight him. The verse functions as a corrective: Bhīṣma is not ignorant of dharma, so dismissing him would be improper.