Shloka 11
Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda
Kārttikeya
पवित्राणां पवित्र च यत् तद् ब्रूहि पितर्मम । एतच्छुत्वा तु वचन व्यास: परमधर्मवित् पुत्रायाकथयत् सर्व तत्त्वेन भरतर्षभ
pavitrāṇāṁ pavitraṁ ca yat tad brūhi pitar mama | etac chrutvā tu vacanaṁ vyāsaḥ paramadharmavit putrāyākathayat sarvaṁ tattvena bharatarṣabha ||
Bhishma disse: “Pai, diz-me o que é o mais purificador entre todos os purificadores. Descreve-me tudo isto.” Ó touro entre os Bharatas, ao ouvir as palavras de seu filho, Vyasa—conhecedor do dharma supremo—explicou-lhe tudo com verdade e por inteiro.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes the ethical-spiritual problem: among all means of purification, there is a supreme purifier. It emphasizes sincere inquiry and the role of a qualified teacher (Vyasa, 'knower of highest dharma') who responds with a complete and truthful explanation (tattvena).
A son (Shuka) asks his father (Vyasa) to identify and explain the most purifying principle or practice. The narrator addresses the listener as 'bharatarṣabha' and reports that Vyasa, renowned for dharma-knowledge, proceeds to teach his son in full detail.