Shloka 23
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
न चैकसाध्यं पश्यामि विज्ञानं भुवि कस्यचित् | दिवि वा सागरगमास्तेन वो मानयाम्यहम्
na caikasādhyaṁ paśyāmi vijñānaṁ bhuvi kasyacit | divi vā sāgaragamās tena vo mānayāmy aham |
Mahēśvara said: “I do not see any knowledge that is attainable by only one means for anyone on earth—or even in heaven. Therefore, I honor you all, for you have undertaken the arduous path that leads across the ocean (of worldly existence).”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True understanding is not gained through a single, exclusive method; it requires multiple supports (such as discipline, reflection, guidance, and devotion). Recognizing the difficulty of crossing the ‘ocean’ of worldly existence, the speaker commends sincere seekers rather than claiming one narrow path as sufficient for all.
Maheshvara addresses the listeners and expresses respect for their striving. He observes that no one—whether on earth or even in heaven—attains realized knowledge by only one means, and he therefore honors them as earnest ‘ocean-crossers,’ i.e., those undertaking the demanding spiritual journey.