अनुशासनिक पर्व — भीष्म का उपदेश

Janamejaya said When that foremost person among the Kauravas, viz., Bhishma was lying on a bed of arrows—a bed that is always coveted by heroes and when the Pandavas were sitting around him, my great Grandfather Yudhishthira of much wisdom, heard these expositions of mysteries about the subject of duty and had all his doubts removed.

He heard also what the ordinances are about gifts, and thus had all his doubts removed about the topics of virtue and wealth. You should, O learned Brahmana, tell me now what else did the great Pandava king do.

Vaishampayana said When Bhishma became silent, the entire body of kings became perfectly silent. Indeed, they all sat motionless there, like figures painted on canvas.

Then Vyasa the son of Satyavati, having thought for a moment, addressed the royal son of Ganga, saying, O king, the Kuru king Yudhishthira has been restored to his own nature, with all his brothers and followers.

With highly intelligent Krishna by his side he bends his head in respect to you. You should give him leave for returning to the city.

Thus addressed by the holy Vyasa, the royal son of Shantanu and Ganga dismissed Yudhishthira and his counsellors.

Addressing his grandson in a sweet voice, the royal son of Shantanu, also said, Do you return to your city, O king, Let the fever of your heart be removed.

Do you adore the celestials in various sacrifices distinguished by large gifts of food and riches like Yayati himself, O foremost of kings, gifted with devotion and selfcontrol.

Devoted to the practices of the Kshatriya do you, O son of Pritha, please the departed manes and the celestials. You shall then acquire great benefits. Indeed let the fever of your heart be removed.

Do you please all your subjects. Do you assure them and establish peace among all. Do you also honour all your wellwishers with such rewards as they deserve.

Let all your friends and wellwishers live, depending on you for their means, as birds live, depending for their means upon a full grown tree laden with fruits and standing on a sacred spot.

When the hour comes for departure from this world, do you come here, O king, I shall relinquish my body when the Sun, stopping in his southward course, will begin to return northwards.

The son of Kunti answered, 'So be it!' and saluted his grandfather with respect and then started with all his relatives and followers, for the city of Hastinapur.

Headed by Dhritarashtra and also Gandhari who was greatly devoted to her husband and accompanied by the Rishis and Keshava as also by the citizens and the inhabitants of the country and by his counsellors, O monarch, that foremost one of Kuru's race entered the city of Hastinapur.