Shloka 22
Adhyāya 55 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Hesitation and Bhīṣma’s Authorization of Inquiry
Rājadharma Prelude
तमुवाचाथ गाड़ेयो वृषभ: सर्वधन्विनाम् । मां पृच्छ तात विश्रब्धं मा भैस्त्वं कुरुसत्तम
tam uvācātha gāḍeyo vṛṣabhaḥ sarva-dhanvinām | māṃ pṛccha tāta viśrabdhaṃ mā bhaiḥ tvaṃ kuru-sattama ||
于是，伽陀耶——诸弓手中最卓越者——对他说：“孩子，尽可坦然发问，怀着信心便是。莫要畏惧，哦，俱卢族中最优秀者。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A teacher or elder should create a space of trust: the seeker is urged to ask openly and without fear. Ethical instruction begins with reassurance and the removal of anxiety, so that inquiry can be sincere and clear.
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, Gāḍeya addresses a Kuru noble respectfully and affectionately, identifying himself as an eminent archer and inviting questions. He explicitly tells the listener not to fear and to speak freely.