Shloka 13
Guru’s Instruction on Dream, Mind, Guṇas, and Knowing Brahman
Svapna–Manas–Guṇa–Brahma-vicāra
ते वरेणाभिसम्पन्ना बलेन च मदेन च | नावबुध्यन्ति सम्मूढा विष्णुमव्यक्तदर्शनम्
te vareṇābhisampannā balena ca madena ca | nāvabudhyanti sammūḍhā viṣṇum avyaktadarśanam ||
Bhīṣma said: “Endowed with boons, and intoxicated with strength and pride, the deluded do not recognize Viṣṇu—whose true form is not easily perceived.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and even divinely granted boons can become obstacles when they breed mada (pride). Such arrogance produces sammoha (deep delusion), preventing true recognition of Viṣṇu, whose reality is subtle and not grasped by outward vision alone.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs on dharma and right understanding. Here he remarks that certain beings, empowered by boons and physical might, become conceited and therefore fail to perceive the presence and supremacy of Viṣṇu.