Shloka 12
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
अथोवाच ह्ृषीकेशं पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर: । नान्यस्तु देवकीपुत्राच्छक्त: प्रष्टें पितामहम्
atho uvāca hṛṣīkeśaṃ pāṇḍuputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | nānyas tu devakīputrāc chaktaḥ praṣṭuṃ pitāmaham ||
于是般度之子由提施提罗转向赫利希凯沙（奎师那）说道：“除德瓦姬之子外，无人有资格向祖父问道。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment about spiritual and moral authority: profound questions on dharma should be posed by one who has the requisite insight and standing. Yudhiṣṭhira’s deference underscores humility and the recognition that Kṛṣṇa is uniquely qualified to draw out Bhīṣma’s highest counsel.
In Śānti Parva, after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira seeks guidance from Bhīṣma (lying on his bed of arrows). Here he turns to Kṛṣṇa (Hṛṣīkeśa) and states that only Kṛṣṇa is capable of properly questioning the Grandsire, setting up the forthcoming instruction.