Shloka 11
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
ऋते शान्तनवाद् भीष्मात् सत्यसंधाज्जितेन्द्रियात् । तदन्विष्य महाभाग सर्वमेतद् वदस्व मे
ṛte śāntanavād bhīṣmāt satyasaṃdhāj jitendriyāt | tad anvīṣya mahābhāga sarvam etad vadasva me, paraṃtapa pitāmaha ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Maliban kay Bhīṣma, anak ni Śāntanu—matatag sa katotohanan at may pagpipigil sa mga pandama—wala nang sinumang tunay na makapagpapaliwanag ng bagay na ito. Kaya, O lubhang pinagpala, matapos mo itong siyasatin nang maingat, sabihin mo sa akin ang lahat, O tagasunog ng mga kaaway, O Lolo. Ang gawaing ito ang pinakamataas sa lahat ng gawain; at bihira rin ang karapat-dapat na makarinig nito.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes epistemic humility and ethical authority: profound dharma is best learned from a qualified teacher—one grounded in truth (satyasaṃdha) and self-mastery (jitendriya). It also highlights that the highest duties require careful inquiry (anvīṣya) and a worthy listener.
In the Śānti Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, turns to Bhīṣma lying on the bed of arrows. He declares Bhīṣma uniquely qualified to explain the matter at hand and requests a complete, carefully considered exposition.