Shloka 24
Adhyāya 352: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Saṃvāda — Uñchavrata-niścaya
Dialogue and the Resolve to Practice Uñchavrata
को हासौ चिन्त्यते ब्रद्वंस्त्वयैक: पुरुषोत्तम: । एतनमे संशयं ब्रूहि महत् कौतूहलं हि मे
ko hāsau cintyate brāhmaṁs tvayaikaḥ puruṣottamaḥ | etan me saṁśayaṁ brūhi mahat kautūhalaṁ hi me prabho ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „O ehrwürdiger Brāhmaṇa, wer ist jener eine Puruṣottama, die höchste Person, auf den du meditierst? Bitte löse meinen Zweifel. Große Sehnsucht erfüllt mich, darüber zu hören, o Herr.“
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: when a supreme object of meditation is mentioned, one should seek clarity about its identity and nature. It emphasizes humility, careful questioning, and eagerness to learn about the highest spiritual ideal (Puruṣottama).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma addresses a learned interlocutor and asks who the ‘one Puruṣottama’ is that the other person contemplates. Bhīṣma expresses doubt and strong curiosity, requesting an explicit explanation.