Shloka 23
Adhyāya 70: Sātyaki’s Arrow-Display and the Bhūriśravas Engagement; Twilight Withdrawal
इस प्रकार इन भगवान् गोविन्दको तुम आचार्य, पिता और गुरु समझो। भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण जिसके ऊपर प्रसन्न हो जाय, वह अक्षय लोकोंपर विजय पा जाता है ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | evaṃ prakāreṇa imaṃ bhagavantaṃ govindaṃ tvam ācārya-pitṛ-guru-saṃjñaṃ manyasva | bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇo yasya upari prasanno bhavati sa akṣayān lokān jitvā vijayī bhavati || yaś caiva enaṃ bhaya-sthāne keśavaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajet | sadā naraḥ paṭhan stotram idaṃ svastimān sa sukhī bhavet ||
Bhishma said: “Therefore, regard this Blessed Govinda as your teacher, your father, and your spiritual guide. One upon whom Lord Krishna becomes pleased attains unfailing victory over the imperishable worlds. And whoever, in a time of fear, takes refuge in Keshava, and continually recites this hymn of praise—such a person becomes happy and enjoys well-being.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Krishna: treat Govinda as the highest guide—teacher, father, and guru. Divine grace (prasāda) is presented as the decisive source of safety, well-being, and even ‘unfailing victory’; regular remembrance and recitation of praise are framed as ethical-spiritual disciplines that steady the mind in fear.
Bhishma, speaking within the Bhishma Parva context of the Kurukshetra war, commends Krishna’s supreme status and protective power. He concludes by prescribing a practical response for crisis: in fearful situations one should take refuge in Keshava and recite this hymn, which Bhishma declares brings happiness and auspiciousness.