Shloka 7
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
सत्यं दानं तप: शौर्य शान्तिर्दाक्ष्यमसम्भ्रम: । यस्मिन्नेतानि सर्वाणि स मां पृच्छतु पाण्डव:,“जिनमें सत्य, दान, तप, शूरता, शान्ति, दक्षता तथा असम्भ्रम (स्थिरचित्तता)--ये समस्त सद्गुण सदा मौजूद रहते हैं, वे पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिर मुझसे प्रश्न करें
satyam dānaṃ tapaḥ śauryaṃ śāntir dākṣyam asambhramaḥ | yasminn etāni sarvāṇi sa māṃ pṛcchatu pāṇḍavaḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच— सत्यं दानं तपः शौर्यं शान्तिर्दाक्ष्यमसम्भ्रमः । यस्मिन्नेतानि सर्वाणि स मां पृच्छतु पाण्डवः ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the ideal moral and royal character: a worthy inquirer (and ruler) is marked by a complete set of virtues—truth, generosity, disciplined austerity, courage, peace, practical competence, and steady composure—suggesting that ethical knowledge is best received and applied by one who embodies these qualities.
In the Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Vaiśampāyana introduces the qualified questioner: the Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira), renowned for these virtues, is invited to ask, preparing the ground for dharma-teachings that follow.