Shloka 19
ब्राह्मणपूजायां व्युष्टिः — Vyuṣṭi (Merit-Outcome) of Honoring Brāhmaṇas: Kṛṣṇa and Durvāsā
स तु वह्निर्महाज्वालो दग्ध्वा सर्वमशेषत: । विष्णो: समीप आगम्य पादौ शिष्यवदस्पृशत्
sa tu vahnir mahājvālo dagdhvā sarvam aśeṣataḥ | viṣṇoḥ samīpa āgamya pādau śiṣyavad aspṛśat |
Bhishma said: That fire, blazing with great tongues of flame, burned everything completely, leaving nothing. Then it drew near to Lord Vishnu and touched His feet as a disciple touches the feet of a teacher—in reverence and surrender—and there it was absorbed into Him.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even overwhelming power (the all-consuming fire) is ultimately subordinate to the Supreme; the ethical ideal presented is humility and reverent surrender—approaching the divine as a disciple approaches a guru.
A great blazing fire burns everything completely, then comes near Vishnu, touches His feet in a disciple-like gesture of reverence, and is absorbed into Him, indicating cessation and return to the divine source.