Shloka 6
तच्छुत्वा कुरुवृद्धो हि बली संवृतलोचन: । शनैरुद्वीक्ष्य सस्नेहमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
tac chrutvā kuru-vṛddho hi balī saṃvṛta-locanaḥ | śanair udvīkṣya sa-sneham idaṃ vacanam abravīt ||
ଏହା ଶୁଣି କୁରୁବୃଦ୍ଧ ବଳବାନ୍ ଭୀଷ୍ମ—ଯାହାଙ୍କ ଚକ୍ଷୁ ନିମିଳିତ ଥିଲା—ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ଚକ୍ଷୁ ଖୋଲି ସ୍ନେହରେ ଦେଖିଲେ; ତାପରେ ଏହିପରି ବଚନ କହିଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war and political hostility, the epic highlights the ethical weight of personal bonds and elder responsibility: Bhīṣma’s tenderness toward Karṇa shows that counsel and compassion can coexist with harsh duties, and that a leader’s words should be spoken with discretion and care.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīṣma, after hearing what was said, slowly opens his eyes, ensures privacy by removing guards, embraces Karṇa affectionately like a father, and then begins to speak—setting the stage for a confidential, emotionally charged counsel in the midst of the Kurukṣetra war context.