Shloka 25
Bhīṣmadeva’s Passing Away in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
सूत उवाच युधिष्ठिरस्तदाकर्ण्य शयानं शरपञ्जरे । अपृच्छद्विविधान्धर्मानृषीणां चानुशृण्वताम् ॥ २५ ॥
sūta uvāca yudhiṣṭhiras tad ākarṇya śayānaṁ śara-pañjare apṛcchad vividhān dharmān ṛṣīṇāṁ cānuśṛṇvatām
Sūta sprach: Nachdem Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira die anmutigen Worte Bhīṣmadevas vernommen hatte, fragte er ihn—der auf dem Pfeilbett lag—in Gegenwart der großen ṛṣis nach den wesentlichen Grundsätzen der verschiedenen Pflichten des Dharma.
Bhīṣmadeva, speaking in that appealing tone, convinced Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira that he was very soon passing away. And Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was inspired by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to ask him of the principles of religion. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa inspired Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to ask Bhīṣmadeva in the presence of many great sages, indicating thereby that the Lord’s devotee like Bhīṣmadeva, although apparently living as a worldly man, is far superior to many great sages, even Vyāsadeva. Another point is that Bhīṣmadeva at that time was not only lying on a deathbed of arrows, but was greatly aggrieved because of that state. One should not have asked him any question at that time, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to prove that His pure devotees are always sound in body and mind by dint of spiritual enlightenment, and thus in any circumstances a devotee of the Lord is in perfect order to speak of the right way of life. Yudhiṣṭhira also preferred to solve his problematic questions by asking Bhīṣmadeva rather than ask anyone else present there who was seemingly more learned than Bhīṣmadeva. This is all due to the arrangement of the great wheel-carrier Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who establishes the glories of His devotee. The father likes to see the son become more famous than himself. The Lord declares very emphatically that worship of His devotee is more valuable than the worship of the Lord Himself.
FAQs
It shows Yudhiṣṭhira approaching Bhīṣma to inquire about many forms of dharma, emphasizing that dharma is best learned from realized authorities while saintly listeners hear attentively.
Bhīṣma was a foremost knower of dharma and was giving final instructions while lying on his bed of arrows; Yudhiṣṭhira sought clear guidance on righteous conduct and kingly duty at a crucial time.
Seek guidance on ethics and duty from trustworthy, spiritually grounded teachers, and cultivate attentive listening—especially when facing important decisions.