Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
यस्मिन् राजर्षभे जाते धर्मात्मनि महात्मनि | अद्ृष्यन्नषय: सर्वे स मां पृच्छतु पाण्डव:,“जिन राजर्षिशिरोमणि धर्मपरायण महात्मा युधिष्ठिरका जन्म होनेपर सभी महर्षि हर्षसे खिल उठे थे, वे ही पाण्डुपुत्र मुझसे प्रश्न करें
yasmin r1jar63abhe j1te dharm1tmani mah1tmani | ad63yann 63aya25 sarve sa m143 p5bcchatu p1470dava25 |
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను—ఆ రాజర్షివృషభుడు, ధర్మాత్ముడైన మహాత్ముడు జన్మించినప్పుడు సమస్త ఋషులు ఆనందించారు; ఆ పాండవుడే ఇప్పుడు నన్ను ప్రశ్నించుగాక॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames righteous kingship as inherently dharmic: the birth of a truly dharma-centered ruler is portrayed as a cosmic and social blessing, welcomed by the sages. It also highlights the ethical method of the Shanti Parvalearning through respectful inquiry addressed to an authoritative teacher.
Vaibamp1yana transitions the discourse by recalling how the sages rejoiced at the birth of the foremost P1470dava (understood as Yudhi63hira) and then invites him to pose his questions, setting up the ensuing instruction on dharma and governance.