Shloka 12
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
ततो निशाम्य गाड़ेयं शाम्यमानमिवानलम् । किंचिद् दीनमना भीष्ममिति होवाच केशव:,इसके बाद भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने मन-ही-मन कुछ दुखी हो बुझती हुई आगके समान दिखायी देनेवाले गड़ानन्दन भीष्मको सुनाकर इस प्रकार कहा--
tato niśāmya gāḍeyaṃ śāmyamānam ivānalam | kiṃcid dīna-manā bhīṣmam iti hovāca keśavaḥ ||
Kemudian, setelah memerhati Bhīṣma—putera Gaṅgā—yang semangatnya agak suram dan tampak seperti api yang kian padam, Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) menegurnya dengan kata-kata berikut. Inilah permulaan nasihat yang bertujuan meneguhkan hati dan membangkitkan kembali tekad dalam menempuh dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical moment: when a wise elder’s inner strength wanes, compassionate and dharma-oriented counsel is timely. It highlights attentiveness to another’s mental state and the duty to restore clarity and resolve before instruction on dharma proceeds.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa notices Bhīṣma looking dejected, likened to a fire that is dying down, and then begins to speak to him—introducing the forthcoming dialogue and guidance in the Śānti Parva.