Shloka 27
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
तवेयं पृथिवी देवी कृत्स्ना नारायणाश्रयात् | अयं नाथस्तवाचिन्त्यो यस्य नारायणो गति:
taveyaṁ pṛthivī devī kṛtsnā nārāyaṇāśrayāt | ayaṁ nāthas tavācintyo yasya nārāyaṇo gatiḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Diese ganze göttliche Erde ist dein, weil du bei Nārāyaṇa Zuflucht genommen hast. Er ist dein unbegreiflicher Herr und Beschützer — für den, der sich auf ihn stützt, ist Nārāyaṇa Ziel und letzte Zuflucht.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma teaches that worldly sovereignty and success are ultimately grounded in taking refuge in Nārāyaṇa; the Lord is both protector (nātha) and the highest end (gati). The ethical thrust is humility: power is not merely personal achievement but a trust sustained by divine support and right reliance.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs the king (contextually Yudhiṣṭhira) on dharma and right conduct. Here he attributes the king’s possession of the earth/kingdom to reliance on Nārāyaṇa, affirming Nārāyaṇa’s inconceivable nature and role as the king’s ultimate refuge.