Shloka 5
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
तथावृत्तौ कथां तात तावच्युतयुधिष्ठिरौ । जम्मतुर्यत्र गाड़ेयः शरतल्पगत: प्रभु:
tathāvṛttau kathāṃ tāta tāv acyutayudhiṣṭhirau | jagmatur yatra gāṅgeyaḥ śaratālpagataḥ prabhuḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“亲爱的啊，当他们如此交谈之时，坚战（Yudhiṣṭhira）与阿周陀（Acyuta，奎师那）便前往那处——恒伽之子、威力无比的毗湿摩正卧于箭床之上。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
This verse frames the ethical setting for Bhīṣma’s forthcoming instruction: after the devastation of war, the rightful king (Yudhiṣṭhira) approaches a revered elder (Bhīṣma) to seek guidance on dharma and governance, showing that authority should be tempered by counsel, humility, and moral inquiry.
While conversing, Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa arrive at the spot where Bhīṣma—called Gāṅgeya, the son of Gaṅgā—lies wounded on his famous bed of arrows, preparing the scene for the Shānti Parva’s extended discourse on duty, peace, and righteous rule.