Shloka 5
Śiśupāla-janma-lakṣaṇaṃ (Śiśupāla’s birth marks and the prophecy of his end)
इत्युक्तवति धर्मज्ञे धर्मराजे युधिष्ठिरे । उवाचेदं वचो भीष्मस्तत: कुरुपितामह:,धर्मके ज्ञाता धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरके ऐसा कहनेपर कुरुकुलपितामह भीष्मजी इस प्रकार बोले--
ity uktavati dharmajñe dharmarāje yudhiṣṭhire | uvācedaṁ vaco bhīṣmas tataḥ kurupitāmahaḥ ||
Nang masabi na ni Yudhiṣṭhira—ang matuwid na hari at nakaaalam ng dharma—ang gayong pananalita, si Bhīṣma, ang dakilang ninuno ng angkan ng Kuru, ay sumagot sa mga salitang ito.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical structure of Mahābhārata discourse: a dharma-grounded statement by a righteous king invites a response from an elder authority. It underscores that dharma is clarified through respectful dialogue, where experience and lineage-based wisdom (Bhīṣma as Kurupitāmaha) interprets and guides royal conduct.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that after Yudhiṣṭhira has spoken, Bhīṣma begins his reply. The verse functions as a transition marker, shifting the speaker from Yudhiṣṭhira to Bhīṣma and signaling the start of Bhīṣma’s counsel in the ongoing discussion.