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
Wenn in der Kali-Zeit die Soma-Dynastie erloschen ist, wird Devāpi zu Beginn des nächsten Satya-yuga die Soma-Linie in dieser Welt wieder aufrichten. Von Bāhlīka stammte Somadatta; dessen Söhne waren Bhūri, Bhūriśravā und Śala. Von Śāntanu, aus dem Schoß der Gaṅgā, wurde Bhīṣma geboren—selbstverwirklicht, der Beste unter den Kennern des Dharma, ein großer Bhāgavata und Dichter.
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).