Shloka 12
Śiśupāla-vākya: Bhīṣma-nindā and the ‘Haṃsa’ Exemplum (शिशुपालवाक्यम् — भीष्मनिन्दा, हंसदृष्टान्तः)
ज्ञानवृद्धा मया राजन् बहव: पर्युपासिता: । तेषां कथयतां शौरेरहं गुणवतो गुणान्
jñānavṛddhā mayā rājan bahavaḥ paryupāsitāḥ | teṣāṃ kathayatāṃ śaurer ahaṃ guṇavato guṇān
بھیشم نے کہا—اے راجن، میں نے حکمت میں پختہ بہت سے بزرگوں کی طویل مدت تک خدمت کی ہے۔ ان کے بیان سے میں نے شوری کے—اس صاحبِ صفات کے—اوصاف سنے اور سمجھے ہیں۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True understanding of virtue is refined through humble service to the wise; the greatness of a virtuous person is recognized through their guṇas (ethical excellences) as testified by reliable elders.
Bhīṣma addresses the king and grounds his forthcoming praise/assessment of Śauri (Kṛṣṇa) in authoritative tradition: he has served many learned elders and has heard from them detailed accounts of Kṛṣṇa’s virtues.