Shloka 16
Gautama–Yama Saṃvāda: Mātṛ-Pitṛ-Ṛṇa (Debt to Parents) and Śubha-Loka Attainment
कि नु ज्यायस्तरं लोके महत्त्वात् प्रतिभाति वः । एतदिच्छामि तत्त्वेन श्रीतुं किमिह दुर्लभम्
ki nu jyāyastaraṃ loke mahattvāt pratibhāti vaḥ | etad icchāmi tattvena śrotuṃ kim iha durlabham ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Sabihin ninyo sa akin—ano ang higit na dakila sa daigdig kapag hinatulan ayon sa tunay na kadakilaan? Nais kong marinig ang katotohanan. Kung sa isang panig ay may taong pinananatili ng pag-asa, at sa kabila’y ang walang-hanggang langit, alin ang itinuturing ninyong mas dakila? Paglapit ko sa inyo, mga mapalad at mapag-ayos na pantas, ano pa ang magiging mahirap makamtan—lalo na ang kaliwanagan sa pag-aalinlangang ito?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical-philosophical inquiry into what constitutes true 'greatness' (mahattva): is vastness and external magnitude (the infinite sky) greater, or the inner human capacity sustained by hope and aspiration? Bhishma seeks a principled, reality-based answer (tattvena), emphasizing discernment rather than mere appearance.
In the Shanti Parva’s reflective setting, Bhishma addresses revered ascetics/sages and poses a doubt he wants resolved. He asks them to judge, by the standard of greatness, between an ‘hopeful man’ and the ‘endless sky,’ indicating his reliance on their tapas-backed insight to settle a subtle question.