Shloka 236

Bhīṣma’s Śara-śayyā Stuti to Vāsudeva and Yogic Preparation for Dehotsarga

Body-Relinquishment

Devanagari script

सहस्रबाहुमुकु्टं सहस्रवदनोज्ज्वलम्‌ | उन श्रीहरिके सहस्रों सिर, सहस्रों चरण और सहसों नेत्र हैं, वे सहस्रों भुजाओं, सहस्रों मुकुटों तथा सहस्रों मुखोंसे देदीप्यमान रहते हैं

Transliteration

sahasrabāhumukuṭaṃ sahasravadanōjjvalam |

Translation

Bhīṣma describes the Supreme Lord in a cosmic form: Śrī Hari has a thousand heads, a thousand feet, and a thousand eyes; He shines with a thousand arms, a thousand crowns, and a thousand faces.

Word by Word

• सहस्रबाहुमुकुटम्: having a thousand arms and (a) crown(s)
• सहस्रबाहुमुकुटम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्रबाहुमुकुट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• सहस्रवदनोज्ज्वलम्: shining with a thousand faces
• सहस्रवदनोज्ज्वलम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्रवदनोज्ज्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Śrī Hari (Viṣṇu)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches reverent devotion through contemplation of the Lord’s boundless, cosmic sovereignty—encouraging humility and grounding ethical life (dharma) in recognition of a reality far greater than human strength or status.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs and consoles Yudhiṣṭhira; here he praises/depicts Śrī Hari in an expansive, many-formed vision, emphasizing the Lord’s immeasurable radiance and omnipresent power.