Shloka 2
गोशकृन्माहात्म्य-प्रश्नः (On the Merit of Cow-Dung and the Abode of Śrī) / Inquiry into the Sanctity of Cow-Dung
सर्वलोकचरं सिद्ध ब्रह्यकोशं सनातनम् । पुरोहितमभिप्रष्टमभिवाद्योपचक्रमे,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्! एक समयकी बात है, वक्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ इक्ष्वाकुवंशी राजा सौदासने सम्पूर्ण लोकोंमें विचरनेवाले, वैदिक ज्ञानके भण्डार, सिद्ध सनातन ऋषिषभ्रेष्ठ वसिष्ठजीसे, जो उन्हींके पुरोहित थे, प्रणाम करके इस प्रकार पूछना आरम्भ किया
sarvalokacaraṁ siddha brahmakōśaṁ sanātanam | purohitam abhipraṣṭam abhivādya upacakrame ||
Sabi ni Bhishma: “O Hari, minsan ay si Saudāsa—ang haring nagmula sa angkan ni Ikshvaku at bantog sa mga nagsasalita—ay lumapit kay Vasiṣṭha, ang kanyang punong pari ng angkan: isang ganap at walang-hanggang rishi, tagapag-ingat ng karunungang Veda, at malayang nakalilibot sa lahat ng daigdig. Pagkaraang yumukod sa paggalang, nagsimula siyang magtanong sa ganitong paraan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical protocol of learning: a ruler seeking guidance should approach a realized teacher (purohita/ṛṣi) with humility and reverence, and then inquire. Right questioning, preceded by respect, is presented as the proper doorway to dharma and wise governance.
Bhishma begins a past episode: King Saudāsa of the Ikshvaku line approaches his priest-sage Vasiṣṭha, salutes him, and starts asking questions—setting up a didactic dialogue on conduct and duty.