Shloka 13
Adhyāya 353 — Kathā-prāmāṇya (Authority of Transmission) and the Brāhmaṇa’s Ascetic Resolve
एवं हि परमात्मानं केचिदिच्छन्ति पण्डिता: । एकात्मानं तथा55त्मानमपरे ज्ञानचिन्तका:,इस प्रकार कुछ विद्वान् (अपनेसे भिन्न) परमात्माको पाना चाहते हैं। कुछ अपनेसे अभिन्न परमात्मा-एकात्माको पानेकी इच्छा रखते हैं तथा दूसरे विचारक केवल आत्माको ही जानना या पाना चाहते हैं
evaṁ hi paramātmānaṁ kecid icchanti paṇḍitāḥ | ekātmānaṁ tathā ātmānam apare jñānacintakāḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „So wünschen manche Gelehrte, den Paramātman, das höchste Selbst, als etwas von ihnen Verschiedenes zu erlangen. Andere sehnen sich danach, das Höchste als das eine Selbst zu verwirklichen—nicht verschieden vom eigenen Sein. Wieder andere Betrachtende, dem Wissen ergeben, zielen allein darauf, das individuelle Selbst zu erkennen und zu erreichen.“
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse acknowledges multiple legitimate spiritual orientations: some approach the Supreme as transcendent and distinct, some as identical with one’s own Self (non-dual realization), and some focus on realizing the individual self through contemplative knowledge. It frames these as differing aims among the wise rather than outright contradictions.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on peace and liberation, Bhīṣma is teaching about metaphysical goals and spiritual disciplines. Here he classifies seekers by how they conceive and pursue the highest reality—Supreme Self, one Self, or the individual self.