Shloka 12
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
लोकस्य कदनं कृत्वा लोकनाथो विशाम्पते । अभिशापभयादू् भीतो भवन्तं नोपसर्पति,प्रजापालक भीष्म! ये लोकनाथ युधिष्ठिर जगत्का संहार करके शापके भयसे त्रस्त हो उठे हैं; इसीलिये आपके निकट नहीं आते हैं
lokasya kadanaṁ kṛtvā lokanātho viśāmpate | abhiśāpa-bhayād bhīto bhavantaṁ nopasarpati || prajā-pālaka bhīṣma! ye lokanātha yudhiṣṭhira jagat-kā saṁhāra karke śāpa-ke bhaya-se trasta ho uṭhe haiṁ; isīliye āpke nikaṭ nahīṁ āte haiṁ |
Vāyu disse: “Ó senhor do povo, tendo causado ruína ao mundo, o governante do reino agora treme de medo diante do temor de uma maldição; por isso não se aproxima de ti. Ó Bhīṣma, protetor dos súditos — o rei Yudhiṣṭhira, abalado pelo pavor de incorrer numa maldição após a destruição perpetrada no mundo, mantém-se afastado da tua presença.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a righteous ruler may be shaken after mass violence; moral governance requires confronting remorse and seeking guidance from elders and dharma-teachers rather than withdrawing in fear.
Vāyu explains to Bhīṣma that Yudhiṣṭhira, burdened by the devastation of the war and fearing the consequences of a curse, is hesitant to approach Bhīṣma for counsel.