Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
स हि भूतं भविष्यच्च भवच्च भरतर्षभ । वेत्ति धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठ तमस्मि मनसा गत:,भरतश्रेष्ठ! वे भूत, भविष्य और वर्तमान तीनों कालोंकी बातें जानते हैं। धर्मज्ञोमें श्रेष्ठ उन्हीं भीष्मका मैं मन-ही-मन चिन्तन करने लगा था
sa hi bhūtaṃ bhaviṣyac ca bhavac ca bharatarṣabha | vetti dharmavidāṃ śreṣṭhas tam asmi manasā gataḥ ||
„O Stier unter den Bharatas, jener höchste Kenner des Dharma weiß, was gewesen ist, was sein wird und was jetzt ist. Zu eben diesem Bhīṣma – dem Besten unter den Weisen in Rechtschaffenheit – hatte sich mein Geist in Betrachtung gewandt.“
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True mastery of dharma is portrayed as comprehensive discernment—an ability to judge rightly across time (past, present, and future). The verse elevates Bhīṣma as an exemplary authority whose insight merits inward recollection and reliance.
Vāsudeva speaks while reflecting on Bhīṣma’s exceptional dharma-knowledge. He indicates that his mind has turned toward Bhīṣma, implicitly acknowledging him as the appropriate guide or reference point for understanding righteous conduct.