O Sanjaya, how can you tell me that Bhishma that foremost of all mighty men, that renowned warrior, that great refuge of all, that wise and virtuous man ever devoted to the duties of his order and learned in all the Vedas and their branches, the hero in whose birth Shantanu was freed from all grief, melancholy and sorrow, has been killed?
यस्मिञ्जाते महावीर्ये शान्तनुर्लोकविश्रुतः। शोकं दैन्य च दुःखं च प्राजहात् पुत्रलक्ष्मणि॥ प्रोक्तं परायणं प्राज्ञं स्वधर्मनिरतं शुचिम्। वेदवेदाङ्गत्तत्त्वज्ञं कथं शंससि मे हतम्॥