Shloka 14
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
एवमुक्त: पाण्डवेन भगवान् केशवस्तदा । अभिगम्य दुराधर्ष प्रव्याहारयदच्युत:,पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठटिरके ऐसा कहनेपर अपनी मर्यादासे कभी च्युत न होनेवाले भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने दुर्जय भीष्मजीके निकट जाकर इस प्रकार बातचीत की
evaṁ uktaḥ pāṇḍavena bhagavān keśavas tadā | abhigamya durādharṣaḥ pravyāhārayad acyutaḥ ||
एवमुक्तः पाण्डवेन भगवान् केशवस्तदा। अभिगम्य दुराधर्षं प्रव्याहारयदच्युतः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry as requiring proper approach to authority: after Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, Kṛṣṇa respectfully goes to the formidable elder Bhīṣma to initiate discourse, implying that dharma is clarified through disciplined dialogue with those who embody experience and moral weight.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, in response to Yudhiṣṭhira, Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta/Keśava) goes near Bhīṣma—described as difficult to overcome—and begins speaking with him, preparing the ground for Bhīṣma’s extended instruction on dharma in the Śānti Parva.