Jñāna-plava (The Raft of Knowledge): Svabhāva, Prajñā, and the Ascent to Ātmajñāna
जैगीषव्यं महाप्रज्ञं धर्माणामागतागमम् । अक्रुध्यन्तमहृष्यन्तमसितो देवलोडब्रवीत्
jaigīṣavyaṁ mahāprajñaṁ dharmāṇām āgatāgamaṁ | akrudhyantam ahṛṣyantam asito devalo 'bravīt ||
ভীষ্ম ক’লে—অসিত-দেৱলে মহাপ্ৰজ্ঞ, ধৰ্মৰ আগত-আগমত পাৰদৰ্শী আৰু ক্ৰোধ-হৰ্ষৰহিত জৈগীষব্য মুনিক সম্পূৰ্ণ ধৰ্ম জানিবৰ উদ্দেশ্যে এইদৰে প্ৰশ্ন কৰিলে।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the qualifications for reliable instruction on dharma: deep learning in authoritative tradition and inner steadiness—freedom from anger and excessive joy—so that judgment remains impartial and ethically grounded.
Bhishma introduces a dialogue: the sage Asita Devala approaches and questions the learned, even-minded sage Jaigishavya to obtain a comprehensive understanding of dharma.