O scorcher of foes, this I consider to be the most momentous of all questions regarding the satisfaction of royal duties. There are few men, who wish to listen to the answer of this question, and none answer it except Shantanu's truthful son Bhishma, who has ail his senses under control. O you, who are highly blessed, think on it and describe it to me. to
एतद् वै सर्वकृत्यानां परं कृत्यं परंतप। नैतस्य कश्चिद् वक्तास्ति श्रोता वापि सुदुर्लभः॥ ऋते शान्तनवाद् भीष्मात् सत्यसंधाज्जितेन्द्रियात्। तदन्विष्य महाभाग सर्वमेतद् वदस्व मे।" ।।