Shloka 10
Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Reconciliation and Partition (भीष्मोपदेशः—संधि-राज्यविभागविचारः)
धष्टहुम्न उवाच यवीयस: कथ॑ भार्या ज्येष्ठो भ्राता द्विजर्षभ | ब्रह्मन् समभिवर्तेत सवृत्त: संसतपोधन
Dhṛṣṭadyumna uvāca | yavīyasaḥ kathaṁ bhāryā jyeṣṭho bhrātā dvijarṣabha | brahman samabhivarteta savṛttaḥ saṁsatapodhana ||
Sinabi ni Dhṛṣṭadyumna: “O pinakamainam sa mga dalawang-ulit na isinilang, O Brahmana na mayaman sa pag-aayuno at pagninilay—sabihin mo sa akin: paano makalalapit ang nakatatandang kapatid na lalaki, kahit mabuti ang asal, sa asawa ng kaniyang nakababatang kapatid?”
धष्टहुम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: even a person reputed for good conduct must be measured against ethical boundaries, especially regarding sexual relations within the family. It highlights the tension between social norms and exceptional circumstances that may be discussed in the surrounding narrative.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna addresses a learned Brāhmaṇa and raises a pointed doubt: how an elder brother—described as virtuous—could have relations with his younger brother’s wife. The question invites a justification or explanation grounded in dharma and precedent.