Shloka 22
श्रेयो-धर्मकर्मविचारः
Inquiry into Śreyas, Dharma, and Karma
तस्य तेजोमय: सूर्यो मनश्नन्द्रमसि स्थितम् । बुद्धिरज्ञनिगता नित्यं रसस्त्वप्सु प्रतिष्ठित:,'दैत्यराज! पृथ्वीको भगवान् विष्णुके दोनों चरण समझो, स्वर्गलोकको मस्तक जानो, ये चारों दिशाएँ उनकी चार भुजाएँ हैं, आकाश कान है, तेजस्वी सूर्य उनका नेत्र है, मन चन्द्रमा है, बुद्धि (महत्तत्त्व) उनकी नित्य ज्ञानवृत्ति है और जल रसनेन्द्रिय है
tasya tejomayaḥ sūryo manaś candramasi sthitam | buddhir ajñānigatā nityaṃ rasas tv apsu pratiṣṭhitaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Of Him, the radiant Sun is the manifestation of splendor; the mind abides in the Moon; the intellect is ever established as the constant movement of knowing; and taste—the essence—is grounded in the waters.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a cosmic-body mapping: natural luminaries and inner faculties (sun, moon, mind, intellect) and elemental bases (waters as the seat of taste/essence) are understood as expressions of the Supreme. This cultivates a dharmic worldview in which perception, cognition, and the elements are treated with reverence and disciplined use.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma continues a theological-philosophical exposition describing the Supreme’s presence throughout the cosmos. He enumerates correspondences between cosmic entities and human faculties to teach Yudhishthira (and the listener) how to contemplate the Divine pervading all.