Shloka 52
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
श्र॒त्वा वा श्रोतुकामो वाप्यर्चयेद् वृषभभध्वजम् । विशुद्धेनेह भावेन य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मन:,जो अपना कल्याण चाहता हो, वह पुरुष यह संवाद सुनकर अथवा सुननेकी कामना रखकर विशुद्धभावसे भगवान् शंकरकी पूजा करे
śrutvā vā śrotukāmo vāpy arcayed vṛṣabhadhvajam | viśuddheneha bhāvena ya icched bhūtim ātmanaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Whether one has already heard this discourse or merely longs to hear it, if he seeks his own welfare and prosperity in this world, let him worship Śiva—he whose banner bears the bull—with a pure and sincere intention.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that spiritual benefit depends not only on hearing sacred instruction but also on cultivating a pure inner disposition; one who seeks true welfare should worship Śiva with sincere, purified intention—whether after hearing the teaching or even with the desire to hear it.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction (Anuśāsana Parva), he concludes a teaching by prescribing a practical response: the listener (or aspiring listener) should honor Śiva, identified as the bull-bannered Lord, with purity of heart to attain personal well-being.