Shloka 17
Nṛga-upākhyāna: Brāhmaṇa-sva and the Consequence of Misappropriated Gift-Cattle (कृकलास-रूपे नृगोपाख्यानम्)
अत ऊर्ध्व॑ निबोधेद॑ं देवानां यट्टमिच्छताम् । समागमे महाराज ब्रह्मणा वै स्वयम्भुवा
ata ūrdhvaṃ nibodhedaṃ devānāṃ yat tam icchatām | samāgame mahārāja brahmaṇā vai svayambhuvā ||
अत ऊर्ध्वं निबोधेदं देवानां यत्तमिच्छताम् । समागमे महाराज ब्रह्मणा वै स्वयम्भुवा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse signals a shift into an authoritative account: Bhīṣma urges the king to listen carefully to a matter shaped by divine intention, emphasizing that dharma and worldly outcomes are often presented as aligned with a larger cosmic order overseen by Brahmā.
Bhīṣma addresses Yudhiṣṭhira and introduces the next episode: a report of what occurred in a great gathering of the gods, where Brahmā (the Self-born) plays a directing role, setting up the context for the teaching that follows.