Shloka 12
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
“ऋषियोंमें श्रेष्ठ जो पुरातन महर्षि अमित तेजस्वी नर और नारायण हैं, वे एक साथ मानवलोकमें अवतीर्ण होंगे ।। अजेयौ समरे यत्तौ सहितैरमरैरपि । मूढास्त्वेती न जानन्ति नरनारायणावृषी
ṛṣīṇāṁ śreṣṭhau yau purātanau maharṣī amit-tejasvī narāyaṇaś ca naraś ca, tau yugapad mānava-loke avatariṣyataḥ. ajeyau samare yattau sahitair amarair api; mūḍhās tv etī na jānanti nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī.
Bhīṣma said: “Among the seers, the foremost are the ancient great sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa, of immeasurable splendor. Those two will descend together into the world of men. When they are roused for battle, they are unconquerable—even if the gods themselves unite against them. Yet the deluded do not recognize who these two sages, Nara and Nārāyaṇa, truly are.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True spiritual stature is often hidden from ordinary perception: the deluded fail to recognize Nara and Nārāyaṇa’s divine-seer nature. The verse stresses discernment (viveka) and warns that outward appearances can conceal extraordinary dharmic power.
Bhīṣma identifies Nara and Nārāyaṇa as the foremost ancient sages who will descend together into the human realm, declaring them invincible in battle—even against a coalition of gods—while noting that many remain ignorant of their real identity.