Shloka 1
Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Ātma-saṃyama (Marks of Social Conduct and Self-Restraint) | वर्णलक्षणम् एवं आत्मसंयमः
ऑपन--माजण बछ। अकाल एकाशीरत्याधिकशततमो< ध्याय: शुभाशुभ कर्मोंका परिणाम कर्ताको अवश्य भोगना पड़ता है
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: yady asti dattam iṣṭaṃ vā tapas taptaṃ tathaiva ca | gurūṇāṃ vāpi śuśrūṣā tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
尤提士提罗说道：“祖父啊，若布施、祭祀、如法修苦行，以及恭敬勤谨地侍奉师长，确为有功德之业并能结成果报，那么请为我开示其理。”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-inquiry: whether and how meritorious actions—charity, sacrifice, austerity, and service to teachers—produce definite results. It introduces the ethical principle of karmic fruition (that deeds are meaningful and bear consequences) and asks for authoritative clarification from Bhīṣma.
In the Śānti Parva dialogue, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeking guidance after the war, addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and requests an explanation of the fruits of virtuous practices such as dāna, yajña, tapas, and guru-service.