Shloka 2
Śuka’s Nirveda: Vyāsa’s Admonition on Dharma, Impermanence, and ‘Imperishable Wealth’ (अक्षय-धन)
उपासीनमुपासीन: प्रणम्य शिरसा मुनिम् | पश्चादनुमतस्तेन पप्रच्छ वसुमानिदम्
upāsīnam upāsīnaḥ praṇamya śirasā munim | paścād anumatas tena papraccha vasumān idam ||
Bhishma berkata: Melihat sang resi sedang duduk, putera itu pun duduk. Dengan menundukkan kepala, dia memberi penghormatan kepada muni; kemudian, setelah memperoleh izin daripada resi itu, Vasumān bertanya kepadanya seperti berikut—mematuhi tata susila mendekati guru dengan rendah hati, adab yang wajar, dan persetujuan sebelum mengajukan pertanyaan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dhārmic approach to learning: one should approach a teacher or sage with humility (praṇāma), appropriate demeanor (sitting respectfully), and only then inquire after receiving permission (anumati).
A prince named Vasumān approaches a seated sage, bows with his head, sits near him, obtains the sage’s consent, and then begins to ask a question that will be stated in the following verses.