Shloka 9
बक-गौतमाख्यानम् / The Baka–Gautama Account
On Gratitude and Friendship Ethics
उवाच स तु धर्मज्ञो धरनुर्वेदस्य पारग: । शरतल्पगतो भीष्मो नकुलाय महात्मने
vaiśampāyana uvāca | uvāca sa tu dharmajño dhanuḥvedasya pāragāḥ | śaratālpagato bhīṣmo nakulāya mahātmane ||
毗湿摩波罗衍那说道：于是，毗湿摩——明了法（dharma）者，已臻弓术之学（dhanurveda）彼岸者，卧于箭床之上——开始开口，答复高贵的那俱罗。此一场景将教诲呈现为伦理的传递：纵在战后创痛与苦难之中，长者仍守持严整的教导之道，以克制而精炼的言辞回应堪受教的弟子。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets the ethical frame for instruction: true mastery (of dharma and martial science) expresses itself as disciplined, respectful teaching, even in suffering. Bhīṣma’s authority rests not only on skill in archery but on moral discernment, making his reply a model of responsible guidance.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīṣma, lying on the arrow-bed, begins answering Nakula. It introduces Bhīṣma’s forthcoming response and highlights his qualifications—dharma-knowledge and complete command of dhanuḥ-veda—while positioning Nakula as a worthy recipient.