Shloka 12
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
लोकस्य कदनं कृत्वा लोकनाथो विशाम्पते । अभिशापभयादू् भीतो भवन्तं नोपसर्पति,प्रजापालक भीष्म! ये लोकनाथ युधिष्ठिर जगत्का संहार करके शापके भयसे त्रस्त हो उठे हैं; इसीलिये आपके निकट नहीं आते हैं
lokasya kadanaṁ kṛtvā lokanātho viśāmpate | abhiśāpa-bhayād bhīto bhavantaṁ nopasarpati || prajā-pālaka bhīṣma! ye lokanātha yudhiṣṭhira jagat-kā saṁhāra karke śāpa-ke bhaya-se trasta ho uṭhe haiṁ; isīliye āpke nikaṭ nahīṁ āte haiṁ |
Wika ni Vāyu: “O panginoon ng mga tao, matapos maghatid ng kapahamakan sa daigdig, ang tagapamahala ng kaharian ay ngayo’y nanginginig sa takot sa sumpa; kaya’t hindi siya lumalapit sa iyo. O Bhīṣma, tagapangalaga ng mga nasasakupan—si Haring Yudhiṣṭhira, yumanig sa pangamba na magtamo ng sumpa matapos ang pagkawasak na naganap sa mundo, ay umiiwas sa iyong harapan.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a righteous ruler may be shaken after mass violence; moral governance requires confronting remorse and seeking guidance from elders and dharma-teachers rather than withdrawing in fear.
Vāyu explains to Bhīṣma that Yudhiṣṭhira, burdened by the devastation of the war and fearing the consequences of a curse, is hesitant to approach Bhīṣma for counsel.