Shloka 28

Devanagari script

अग्निज्वालासमाभासं हंसबर्हिणसेवितम्‌

Transliteration

agnijvālāsamābhāsaṃ haṃsabarhiṇasevitam

Translation

Bhīṣma describes a radiant presence—shining like tongues of fire—revered and attended by swans and peacocks, evoking an image of purity, auspiciousness, and sacred majesty in the context of dharma-teaching.

Word by Word

• अग्निज्वालासमाभासम्: having an appearance like a flame of fire
• अग्निज्वालासमाभासम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अग्निज्वाला-सम-आभास
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• हंसबर्हिणसेवितम्: frequented/inhabited by swans and peacocks
• हंसबर्हिणसेवितम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हंस-बर्हिण-सेवित
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Agni (fire, as imagery)
• Haṃsa (swan)
• Barhiṇa (peacock)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse uses auspicious and luminous imagery—fire-like radiance and attendance by swans and peacocks—to signal sanctity, purity, and moral authority, reinforcing that dharma is to be approached with reverence and discernment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma, in his instructional discourse, depicts a splendid, sacred-looking object or presence characterized by blazing radiance and being attended by swans and peacocks, setting an elevated tone for the surrounding dharma instruction.