Shloka 1
हि ही बक। हि मा त्रिपठ्चाशरदाधिकत्रिशततमोब«् ध्याय: महापदपुरमें एक श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मगके सदाचारका वर्णन और उसके घरपर अतिथिका आगमन भीष्म उवाच आसीत् किल नरश्रेष्ठ महापद्ये पुरोत्तमे । गज़ाया दक्षिणे तीरे कश्चिद् विप्र: समाहित:
bhīṣma uvāca | āsīt kila naraśreṣṭha mahāpadye purottame | gaṅgāyā dakṣiṇe tīre kaścid vipraḥ samāhitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “O Yudhishthira, pinakamainam sa mga tao! Sa marangal na lungsod na tinatawag na Mahapadya, sa timog na pampang ng Ilog Ganga, minsan ay may isang brahmana na nanirahan—payapa, may pagpipigil-sa-sarili, at matatag ang isip.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a dharma-instruction narrative by presenting an ideal brāhmaṇa characterized by mental composure and disciplined conduct, preparing the ground for teaching about righteous living—especially the ethical weight of proper behavior and hospitality.
Bhīṣma begins recounting a traditional story: in the city of Mahāpadya on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā lived a composed brāhmaṇa. This opening establishes the setting and the exemplary figure whose conduct will be illustrated in the following verses.