Shloka 1
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
अपन क्रात बछ। अर: पज्चाशत्तमो<्ध्याय: श्रीकृष्णद्वारा भीष्मजीके गुण-प्रभावका सविस्तर वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो रामस्य तत् कर्म श्रुत्वा राजा युधिष्ठिर: । विस्मयं परमं गत्वा प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato rāmasya tat karma śrutvā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā pratyuvāca janārdanam ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Então o rei Yudhiṣṭhira, ao ouvir aquele feito extraordinário de Rāma (Paraśurāma), foi tomado do maior assombro e respondeu a Janārdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa). O verso enquadra um momento moral-narrativo: o espanto diante de uma proeza excepcional torna-se ocasião para indagar sobre virtude, influência e a compreensão correta da grandeza.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic learning posture: extraordinary power or action should lead not to mere admiration but to thoughtful questioning and discernment. Yudhiṣṭhira’s wonder becomes the doorway to ethical reflection guided by Kṛṣṇa.
After hearing about Paraśurāma’s remarkable deed, Yudhiṣṭhira is deeply astonished and turns to Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana) to respond—setting up the ensuing discussion (in this chapter’s frame) about greatness, qualities, and their effects.