राजधर्मानुशासन पर्व — युधिष्ठिर सम्पूर्ण पाण्डवहरूसहित पुनः भीष्मकहाँ जान्छन्

Janamejaya said When that foremost men, of righteous soul and great energy, strictly devoted to truth and with passions restrained, viz., the son of Shantanu and Ganga, named Devavrata or Bhishma of undecaying glory, lay on a hero's bed with the sons of Pandu sitting around him, tell me, O great sage, what conversation took place in that meeting of heroes after the destruction of all the soldiers.

Vaishampayana said When Bhishma, that chief of the Kurus, lay on his bed of arrows, many Rishis and Siddhas, O king, headed by Narada, came there.

The residue of the king with Yudhishthira at their head, Dhritarashtra, Krishna, Bhima, Arjuna and the twins also came there.

Approaching the grandfather of the Bharatas who shone like the Sun himself dropped from the sky, those great persons began to bewail for him.

Then reflecting for a moment, Narada, of divine features, addressed all the Pandavas and the residue of the kings, saying, 'The time, I think, has come for you to question Bhishma for Ganga's son is about to die like the Sun that is on the point of setting.

He is about to give up his ghost. Do you all, therefore, request him to discourse to you. He is acquainted with the various duties of all the four orders.

Aged as he is, after renouncing his corporeal frame he will attain to high regions of bliss. Request him, therefore, forthwith to clear the doubts that exist in your minds.

Thus accosted by Narada, those princes approached Bhishina, but unable to ask him anything looked at one another.

Then Yudhishthira the son of Pandu, addressing Hrishikesha, said,-"There is no one else then Devaki's son who can question the grandfather.

O foremost one of Yadu's race, do you, therefore, O destroyer of Madhu, speak first. You are the foremost of us all and are conversant with every duty and practice.'

Thus addressed by the son of Pandu, the illustrious Keshava of undecaying glory, approaching the unconquerable Bhishma, spoke to him as follows.

Have you, O best of kings passed the night happily? Has your understanding become unclouded?

Does your knowledge, O sinless one, shine in you by inward light? I hope your heart does not feel pain and your mind is no longer agitated?'

Bhishma said Burning, stupefaction, toil, exhaustion, and pain, through your Grace, O you of Vrishni's race, have all left me in a single day.

O you of matchless splendour, I behold as distinctly as a fruit placed in my hands, all that is past, all that is future, and all that is present.

I behold clearly, O you of unfading glory, by virtue of the boon granted by you to me, all the duties laid down in the Vedas, and in the Vedantas.

The duties that have been described by persons of learning and righteous conduct are still fresh in my memory. I am conversant also, O Janardana, with the duties and practices obtaining in particular countries and among particular tribes and families.

I remember again everything regarding the four modes of life. I am acquainted, O Keshava, with the royal duties.

I would say, O Janardana, everything in its proper hour. Through your favour, I have acquired an auspicious understanding.

Strengthened by contemplation of you, I feel as if I have become a young man again. Through your favour, O Janardana, I have become capable to talk on what is for the behoof of the world.

Why, however, O holy one, do you not yourself describe to Pandu's son all that is good? What explanation can you give about it? Tell me quickly, O Madhava.'

Vasudeva said Know, O you of Kuru's race, that I am the root of fame and of everything that produces good. All things, good or bad, emanate from me.

Who on Earth will wonder if the Moon be said possessing cool rays? Similarly, who will wonder if I were described as one endued with the greatest fame.

I have, however, resolved to enhance your fame, O you of great splendour. It is for this, O Bhishma, that I have just filled you with great intelligence.

As long, O king, as the Earth will last, so long will your fame travel with unmitigated lustre through all the worlds.

Whatever, O Bhishma, you will say to the inquiring son of Pandu, will pass on Earth like the authoritative declarations of the Vedas.

That person, who will follow the authority of your declarations, will obtain hereafter the meed of every meritorious act.

For this reason, O Bhishma, I have conferred on you celestial understanding so that your fame may be increased on Earth.

As long as a man's fame lasts in the world, so long are his good deeds alive.

The unslain residue of the kings are sitting around you, desirous of hearing your discourses on morality and duty. Do you speak to them, O Bharata.

You are aged and your conduct is consistent with the injunctions of the Shrutis. You are a master of the royal duties and of every other science of duty.

No one, has ever marked the slightest transgression in you since your very birth. All the kings know you to be master of the sciences of morality and duty.

Like a father to his sons do you, therefore, O king, describe to them high morality. You have always adored the Rishis and the gods.

You should discourse on these subjects fully to persons desirous of listening to discourses on morality and duty. A learned person, especially when requested by the righteous, should talk of the same. The sages have declared this to be a duty.

O powerful one if you do not speak on such subjects, you will incur sin. Therefore, questioned by your sons and grandsons, o learned one, about the eternal duties (of men), do you, O foremost of the Bharatas, describe this subject them.