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 ||
Бхишма сказал: «Отец, поведай мне, что является самым очищающим среди всех очистителей. Опиши мне всё это». О бык среди Бхарат, услышав слова своего сына, Вьяса — знаток высшей дхармы — разъяснил ему всё истинно и во всей полноте.
भीष्म उवाच
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.