Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 25
ब्राह्मणपूजायां व्युष्टिः — Vyuṣṭi (Merit-Outcome) of Honoring Brāhmaṇas: Kṛṣṇa and Durvāsā
एतन्मे संशयं सर्वे याथातथ्यमनिन्दिता: । ऋषयो वक्तुमर्न्ति निश्चितार्थ तपोधना:,“तपोधन ऋषियो! आप सब लोग सबके द्वारा प्रशंसित हैं, अतः मेरे इस संशयको निश्चित एवं यथार्थ-रूपसे बतानेकी कृपा करें”
etan me saṁśayaṁ sarve yāthātathyam aninditāḥ | ṛṣayo vaktum arhanti niścitārthā tapodhanāḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O mga rishi na walang kapintasan, kayo’y pinupuri ng lahat. Kaya pakiusap, lutasin ninyo ang aking pag-aalinlangan sa pagsasabi ng bagay na ito ayon sa tunay na kalagayan—malinaw at tiyak—sapagkat kayo’y mayaman sa tapasya at matatag sa napagpasiyahang pagkaunawa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A seeker should approach qualified, blameless authorities and request a truthful, definite clarification. Ethical understanding (dharma) is to be grounded in yāthātathya—things as they truly are—spoken by those steady in insight and disciplined by tapas.
Bhīṣma addresses a group of sages, acknowledging their unimpeachable character and spiritual discipline, and asks them to resolve his uncertainty by giving a clear and accurate account of the matter in question.