Shloka 16
एकान्तिधर्म-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into Ekāntin Dharma) / The Origin and Practice of Single-Pointed Nārāyaṇa-Centered Discipline
भीष्म उवाच विस्तीर्णैषा कथा राजन् श्रुता मे पितृसंनिधौ । यैषा तव हि वक्तव्या कथासारो हि सा मता
bhīṣma uvāca vistīrṇaiṣā kathā rājan śrutā me pitṛsaṃnidhau | yaiṣā tava hi vaktavyā kathāsāro hi sā matā ||
毗湿摩说道：“大王，此事本极其浩繁；我曾在父王身旁亲闻其说。然而如今必须向你陈述的这一段，被视为诸般叙事之精髓——为显其法义而加以撮要，不作无谓铺陈。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma emphasizes that while traditions may be vast, what matters for ethical guidance is the distilled essence (kathāsāra) suitable to the listener’s present need; authoritative teaching is also grounded in faithful transmission from elders.
Bhishma addresses the king and prefaces his instruction by noting he once heard a much longer version from his father; he will now present a concise, essential version for the king’s benefit.