Shloka 1
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
अत-#-#क+ षड्विशो<5ध्याय: श्रीगड़ाजीके माहात्म्यका वर्णन वैशम्पायन उवाच बृहस्पतिसमं बुद्ध्या क्षमया ब्रह्मण: समम् । पराक्रमे शक्रसममादित्यसमतेजसम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bṛhaspati-samaṁ buddhyā kṣamayā brahmaṇaḥ samam | parākrame śakra-samam āditya-sama-tejasam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O Janamejaya, si Bhīṣma—ang makapangyarihang anak ni Gaṅgā—ay may talinong tulad ni Bṛhaspati, may pagtitiis na tulad ni Brahmā, may tapang na tulad ni Śakra, at may ningning na tulad ng Araw. Hindi kailanman lumihis sa sariling panuntunan, siya’y napabagsak sa kamay ni Arjuna at nakahimlay sa higaan ng mga palaso ng isang bayani, naghihintay sa takdang oras. Habang si Haring Yudhiṣṭhira, kasama ang kanyang mga kapatid at iba pa, ay nagtatanong sa kanya sa iba’t ibang paraan, maraming banal na mga rishi ang dumating upang masilayan si Bhīṣma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes Bhīṣma’s moral authority by portraying him as the embodiment of wisdom, patience, valor, and spiritual radiance. This framing signals that the forthcoming instruction in dharma is grounded in exemplary character and steadfast adherence to one’s vowed conduct, even amid the aftermath of war.
After being felled by Arjuna, Bhīṣma lies on the bed of arrows awaiting the destined time of death. Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers and others, approaches and questions him on various matters, while many divine sages arrive to witness Bhīṣma and the impending discourse.