Shloka 16
Bhīṣma’s Śara-śayyā Stuti to Vāsudeva and Yogic Preparation for Dehotsarga
Body-Relinquishment
भीष्म उवाच आरिराधयिषु: कृष्णं वाचं जिगदिषामि याम्
bhīṣma uvāca ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇaṃ vācaṃ jigadiṣāmi yām
பீஷ்மர் கூறினார்— ஓ கிருஷ்ணா! உம்மை ஆராதித்து மகிழ்விக்க விரும்பி, நான் சொல்ல எண்ணும் சொற்களை இப்போது உரைக்கிறேன்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the ethical posture of instruction: before speaking on dharma, the speaker expresses reverence and an intention to please the worthy listener, implying humility, right motivation, and respectful speech as prerequisites for moral counsel.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, Bhishma addresses Krishna and signals that he is about to deliver a considered discourse, framing it as speech offered with devotion and respect toward Krishna.