Shloka 17
अध्याय ३२३ — श्वेतद्वीपगमनम्, यज्ञभाग-विवादः, एकान्तिभक्त्या नारायणदर्शन-नियमः (Śvetadvīpa Journey; Dispute over Sacrificial Share; Rule of Nārāyaṇa-vision through Single-minded Devotion)
तत्र ब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव सर्वे राजर्षयस्तथा । लोकपालाश्च लोकेशं साध्याश्व बहुभि: सह,वहाँ सम्पूर्ण ब्रह्मर्षि, सभी राजर्षि, लोकपाल, बहुत-से अनुचरोंके सहित साध्य, आदित्य, रुद्र, सूर्य, चन्द्रमा, वसुगण, मरुद्गण, समुद्र, सरिताएँ, दोनों अश्विनीकुमार, देवता, गन्धर्व, नारद, पर्वत, गन्धर्वराज विश्वावसु, सिद्ध तथा अप्सराएँ भी लोकेश्वर महादेवजीकी आराधना करती थीं
tatra brahmarṣayaś caiva sarve rājarṣayas tathā | lokapālāś ca lokeśaṃ sādhyāś ca bahubhiḥ saha ||
There, all the Brahmarishis and likewise all the royal seers, together with the guardians of the worlds, worshipped the Lord of the worlds. The Sadhyas too, accompanied by many attendants, were engaged in adoration.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that even the highest sages and cosmic rulers acknowledge a supreme moral-spiritual authority; rightful power is aligned with dharma and expressed through reverence, not domination.
Bhishma describes a grand gathering in which Brahmarishis, royal sages, and the Lokapalas, along with the Sadhyas and many attendants, are engaged in worship of the 'Lord of the worlds,' portraying universal veneration in a sacred setting.