Shloka 18
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
रामस्य दयितं शिष्यं जामदग्न्यस्य पाण्डव | आधार ं सर्वविद्यानां तमस्मि मनसा गत:,पाण्डुकुमार! जो जमदग्निनन्दन परशुरामजीके प्रिय शिष्य तथा सम्पूर्ण विद्याओंके आधार हैं, उन्हीं भीष्मजीका मैं मन-ही-मन चिन्तन करता था
rāmasya dayitaṁ śiṣyaṁ jāmadagnyasya pāṇḍava | ādhāraṁ sarvavidyānāṁ tam asmi manasā gataḥ ||
Vāsudeva sprach: „O Pāṇḍava, ich wandte meinen Geist nach innen und richtete ihn auf Bhīṣma – den geliebten Schüler Rāmas (Paraśurāmas), des Sohnes Jamadagni, der als Fundament aller Wissenszweige gilt. Indem ich seiner gedachte, sann ich über das Ideal disziplinierten Lernens und über das ethische Gewicht nach, das der trägt, der zugleich Waffenmeisterschaft und Weisheit verkörpert.“
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights reverent recollection of an exemplary figure (Bhīṣma) as a ‘foundation of all disciplines,’ implying that true authority in dharma and governance rests on disciplined learning, mastery guided by a teacher, and ethical seriousness—especially for those connected with power and warfare.
Vāsudeva addresses a Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira) and says that he was mentally contemplating Bhīṣma—described as Paraśurāma’s beloved disciple and a support of all knowledge—situating Bhīṣma as a central authority whose life and instruction are worth inward reflection in the Śānti Parva’s post-war ethical discourse.