Shloka 2
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
गाड़ेयमर्जुनेनाजी निहतं भूरितेजसम् । भ्रातृभि: सहितो<अ्यैश्न पर्यपृच्छद् युधिछ्िर:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
gāṅgeyam arjunenājau nihataṁ bhūritejasam |
bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito rājā paryapṛcchad yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：在那场战斗中，光辉灿然的毗湿摩——恒河之子，威光赫奕——被阿周那击倒。随后，国王坚战（由提施提罗）在诸弟相随之下走近他，就种种事理向他发问。（此景为毗湿摩临死之际、在战争浩劫之后所宣说的“法”（dharma）之教奠定了伦理的框架。）
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the moral setting: after war’s violence, the rightful king seeks dharma-guidance from the most authoritative elder (Bhīṣma). It signals that ethical instruction is to be sought even amid grief and political transition, and that wisdom can be transmitted at life’s end for the welfare of society.
Bhīṣma has been brought down in the battle by Arjuna. Yudhiṣṭhira, together with his brothers, approaches the fallen Bhīṣma and begins asking him detailed questions—preparing for Bhīṣma’s extended discourse on dharma that characterizes the Anuśāsana Parva.