Gārhasthya-dharma: Vāsudeva–Pṛthivī-saṃvāda
Householder Duties and Daily Offerings
भीष्म उवाच अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि पुरावृत्तं जनाधिप । वासुदेवस्य संवाद पृथिव्याश्वैव भारत
bhīṣma uvāca | atra te vartayiṣyāmi purāvṛttaṁ janādhipa | vāsudevasya saṁvādaṁ pṛthivyāś caiva bhārata ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O panginoon ng mga tao, O Bharata! Dito ay isasalaysay ko sa iyo ang isang sinaunang salaysay—ang pag-uusap ni Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) at ng Daigdig.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse signals that Bhishma will ground his instruction in a revered ancient dialogue between Kṛṣṇa and the Earth, implying that dharma and ethical governance are aligned with both divine wisdom and the welfare of the world.
Bhishma begins a new illustrative episode: he tells the king (Yudhiṣṭhira) that he will narrate an old account, specifically a conversation between Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) and Pṛthivī (Earth), as a preface to the forthcoming counsel.