Shloka 9
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
अयं प्राणानुत्सिसक्षुस्तं सर्वेडभ्यनुपृच्छत । कृत्स्नान् हि विविधान् धर्मश्षातुर्वर्ण्यस्य वेत्त्ययम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ayaṁ prāṇān utsisṛkṣuḥ taṁ sarve 'bhyānupṛcchata | kṛtsnān hi vividhān dharmān cāturvarṇyasya vetty ayam ||
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்—“இந்தப் பீஷ்மர் உயிர்மூச்சை விட்டொழிக்க விரும்புகிறார்; ஆகவே நீங்கள் அனைவரும் அவரை வினவுங்கள். ஏனெனில் நான்கு வர்ணங்களுக்குரிய பலவகைத் தர்மங்களை அவர் முழுமையாக அறிவார்.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a great knower of dharma is about to depart, seekers should promptly inquire, because such a teacher can clarify the complete and diverse duties that sustain society—especially the dharmas connected with the fourfold social order.
Vaiśampāyana indicates that Bhīṣma is preparing to give up his life-breaths, and therefore everyone present should ask him their questions; Bhīṣma is presented as an authoritative source on the full range of cāturvarṇya-dharmas.