Shloka 12
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
ततो निशाम्य गाड़ेयं शाम्यमानमिवानलम् । किंचिद् दीनमना भीष्ममिति होवाच केशव:
tato niśāmya gāḍeyaṃ śāmyamānam ivānalam | kiṃcid dīna-manā bhīṣmam iti hovāca keśavaḥ ||
Então, ao observar Bhīṣma — filho do Gaṅgā — cujo ânimo se tornara um tanto abatido e que parecia como um fogo a extinguir-se, Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) dirigiu-se a ele com estas palavras. Assim se prepara o terreno para um conselho destinado a firmar a mente e reacender a determinação na busca do 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.