Shloka 4
Rājā–Rāja-Śabda-Prabhavaḥ — The Origin and Rationale of Kingship and Daṇḍanīti
ततो राजा महातेजा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिर: । अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिर्भीष्म॑ प्रतिपूज्य यथाविधि,तब महातेजस्वी राजा धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने भीष्मजीका विधिपूर्वक पूजन करके उनसे दोनों हाथ जोड़कर कहा
tato rājā mahātejā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | abravīt prāñjalir bhīṣmaṃ pratipūjya yathāvidhi ||
于是，护持正法、光辉炽盛的尤提士提罗王，依照应有的仪轨恭敬礼敬了毗湿摩，合掌致敬而对他说道——显出谦卑之心、对伦理与法度的郑重，以及在战争浩劫之后愿受正道教诲的准备。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical learning begins with humility and proper reverence: Yudhiṣṭhira approaches Bhīṣma respectfully and according to prescribed conduct, indicating that dharma is received through disciplined, respectful inquiry rather than pride or mere power.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira, after ritually honoring Bhīṣma, addresses him with folded hands—setting the stage for Bhīṣma’s extended teachings in the Śānti Parva on righteous rule, duty, and moral order after the war.