Shloka 9
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
उवाच स तु धर्मज्ञो धरनुर्वेदस्य पारग: । शरतल्पगतो भीष्मो नकुलाय महात्मने
vaiśampāyana uvāca | uvāca sa tu dharmajño dhanuḥvedasya pāragāḥ | śaratālpagato bhīṣmo nakulāya mahātmane ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Lalu Bhīṣma—yang mengetahui dharma, yang telah menyeberang ke seberang jauh ilmu dhanurveda, dan yang terbaring di atas hamparan anak panah—mula berbicara sebagai jawapan kepada Nakula yang mulia. Adegan ini menampilkan pengajaran sebagai pemindahan etika: walau di tengah akibat perang dan penderitaan, sang tua tetap menegakkan disiplin ajaran dan menjawab murid yang layak dengan tutur yang terukur serta halus.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets the ethical frame for instruction: true mastery (of dharma and martial science) expresses itself as disciplined, respectful teaching, even in suffering. Bhīṣma’s authority rests not only on skill in archery but on moral discernment, making his reply a model of responsible guidance.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīṣma, lying on the arrow-bed, begins answering Nakula. It introduces Bhīṣma’s forthcoming response and highlights his qualifications—dharma-knowledge and complete command of dhanuḥ-veda—while positioning Nakula as a worthy recipient.