Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 19
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
सोमवंशे कलौ नष्टे कृतादौ स्थापयिष्यति । बाह्लीकात्सोमदत्तोऽभूद् भूरिर्भूरिश्रवास्तत: ॥ १८ ॥ शलश्च शान्तनोरासीद् गङ्गायां भीष्म आत्मवान् । सर्वधर्मविदां श्रेष्ठो महाभागवत: कवि: ॥ १९ ॥
soma-vaṁśe kalau naṣṭe kṛtādau sthāpayiṣyati bāhlīkāt somadatto ’bhūd bhūrir bhūriśravās tataḥ
After the dynasty of the moon-god comes to an end in this Age of Kali, Devāpi, in the beginning of the next Satya-yuga, will reestablish the Soma dynasty in this world. From Bāhlīka [the brother of Śāntanu] came a son named Somadatta, who had three sons, named Bhūri, Bhūriśravā and Śala. From Śāntanu, through the womb of his wife named Gaṅgā, came Bhīṣma, the exalted, self-realized devotee and learned scholar.
FAQs
This verse praises Bhīṣma as ātmavān (self-controlled), the foremost knower of dharma, and a mahā-bhāgavata—an exalted devotee of the Lord, also described as a kavi (seer-poet).
Because his life embodies steadfast devotion and uncompromising commitment to dharma; the Bhagavatam highlights him as a great devotee, not merely a heroic warrior.
Practice ātmavattā—self-mastery and integrity—by choosing principled action over convenience, and grounding decisions in dharma (duty, truthfulness, and responsibility).