Shloka 21
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
अथास्य पादौ जग्राह भीष्मश्नापि ननन्द तम् | मूर्थ्नि चैनमुपाच्राय निषीदेत्यब्रवीत् तदा
athāsya pādau jagrāha bhīṣmaś cāpi nananda tam | mūrdhni cainam upāghrāya niṣīdety abravīt tadā ||
随后他恭敬地抱住毗湿摩的双足。毗湿摩以慈爱安抚他，又以父辈赐福之礼嗅其顶髻，当即说道：“孩子，坐下吧。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dhārmic conduct in relationships: humility and reverence shown by touching an elder’s feet, and the elder’s compassionate reassurance and blessing in return—an ethical model for how knowledge and counsel are to be received and given.
In the Śānti Parva setting, the listener approaches Bhīṣma with reverence by grasping his feet. Bhīṣma responds warmly, comforts him, and blesses him by smelling his head, then invites him to sit—signaling readiness to continue counsel and instruction.