Shloka 55
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
तत्पश्चात् सम्पूर्ण धनुर्धरोंमें श्रेष्ठ गड़ानन्दन भीष्मजीने उनसे कहा--“तात! मैं इस समय स्वस्थ हूँ, तुम मुझसे निर्भय होकर प्रश्न करो। कुरुश्रेष्ठी तुम भय न मानो” ।।
tataḥ paścāt sampūrṇa-dhanurdharāṇāṃ śreṣṭho gaṅgā-nandano bhīṣmaḥ tān uvāca— “tāta! ahaṃ etasmin kāle svasthaḥ asmi; tvaṃ mattaḥ nirbhayaḥ praśnaṃ pṛccha. kuruśreṣṭha! mā bhaiḥ.”
Pagkaraan, si Bhīṣma—anak ng Ilog Gaṅgā at pinakadakila sa mga bihasang mamamana—ay nagsalita sa kanila: “Anak, sa sandaling ito’y maayos ang aking kalagayan. Magtanong ka sa akin nang walang pangamba. O pinakamainam sa mga Kuru, huwag kang matakot.” Sa etikal na tagpo ng Śānti Parva, itinatakda nito ang kahandaan ni Bhīṣma na magturo kay Yudhiṣṭhira tungkol sa rājadharma at matuwid na pamamahala, at hinihikayat ang walang-takot na pagtatanong bilang saligan ng pagkatutong dharmiko.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharmic learning requires fearless, sincere inquiry: Bhishma explicitly invites Yudhishthira to ask without hesitation, establishing that guidance on rajadharma is best received through open questioning and trust in the teacher.
After the preceding events, Bhishma—still capable of teaching—assures Yudhishthira that he is well and urges him not to fear, signaling the continuation of Bhishma’s extended instruction on royal duty in the Shanti Parva.