Shloka 3
आत्मदर्शन-उपदेशः (Ātma-darśana Upadeśa) — Mind, Senses, and the All-pervading Self
यदि तेअनुग्रहे बुद्धिरस्मास्विह सतां वर । एतदू भवन्तं पृच्छामि तद् भवानू प्रब्रवीतु मे,सत्पुरुषोंमें श्रेष्ठ पितामह! यदि आपका हमलोगोंपर अनुग्रह करनेका विचार है तो मैं यही बात आपसे पूछता हूँ। आप मुझे बताइये
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: yadi te ’nugrahe buddhir asmāsv iha satāṃ vara, etad eva bhavantaṃ pṛcchāmi; tad bhavān prabravītu me.
یُدھِشٹھِر نے کہا—اے نیکوں میں برتر پِتامہ! اگر ہم پر عنایت فرمانے کا آپ کا ارادہ ہے تو میں یہی سوال آپ سے کرتا ہوں؛ مہربانی فرما کر مجھے اس کا جواب بتائیے۔
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models the ethical posture of a seeker: humility, clarity of inquiry, and respect for a moral authority. Yudhiṣṭhira frames his question as a request for guidance grounded in the elder’s compassion (anugraha), emphasizing that true instruction is given for the welfare of the listener.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the revered elder (Bhīṣma) and formally asks him to answer a specific question. It is the opening move of a didactic exchange where Bhīṣma will articulate teachings on dharma and right conduct.