Shloka 5
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
“जिनके यशका प्रताप सर्वत्र छा रहा है, उन समस्त धर्माचारी कौरवोंमें जिनकी समानता करनेवाला कोई नहीं है, वे पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर मुझसे प्रश्न करें ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
dhṛtir damo brahmacaryaṃ kṣamā dharmaś ca nityadā |
yasminn ojaś ca tejaś ca sa māṃ pṛcchatu pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Que aquele Pāṇḍava—Yudhiṣṭhira—em quem sempre estão presentes a firmeza, o autocontrole, a disciplina do brahmacarya, a tolerância e o dharma, e em quem habitam o vigor e o fulgor espiritual, me dirija suas perguntas. Sua fama e seu poder moral espalham-se por toda parte; entre os Kauravas que vivem retamente ninguém o iguala—por isso, que ele indague.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ideal moral qualifications for inquiry into dharma: steadfastness (dhṛti), self-restraint (dama), disciplined conduct (brahmacarya), forbearance (kṣamā), and unwavering commitment to dharma, supported by inner vigor (ojas) and spiritual radiance (tejas). It implies that true questioning about ethics should arise from a character grounded in these virtues.
Vaiśampāyana introduces Yudhiṣṭhira as uniquely qualified—renowned and ethically exemplary—and invites him to ask questions. This serves as a transition into instruction: the teacher signals readiness to respond to the king’s dharma-centered inquiries.