Shloka 9
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
अयं प्राणानुत्सिसक्षुस्तं सर्वेडभ्यनुपृच्छत । कृत्स्नान् हि विविधान् धर्मश्षातुर्वर्ण्यस्य वेत्त्ययम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ayaṁ prāṇān utsisṛkṣuḥ taṁ sarve 'bhyānupṛcchata | kṛtsnān hi vividhān dharmān cāturvarṇyasya vetty ayam ||
毗湿摩波罗衍那说：“此人（毗湿摩）既欲舍弃生命之气，你们众人都当向他发问。因为他对四姓（varṇa）之种种法度与职责，了然于胸，尽皆通达。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a great knower of dharma is about to depart, seekers should promptly inquire, because such a teacher can clarify the complete and diverse duties that sustain society—especially the dharmas connected with the fourfold social order.
Vaiśampāyana indicates that Bhīṣma is preparing to give up his life-breaths, and therefore everyone present should ask him their questions; Bhīṣma is presented as an authoritative source on the full range of cāturvarṇya-dharmas.