Shloka 18
Bhīṣma on the Śara-Śayyā: Yudhiṣṭhira and Kṛṣṇa Approach the Eldest for Śānti
यच्च भूतं भविष्यं च भवच्च पुरुषर्षभ । सर्व तज्ज्ञानवृद्धस्य तव भीष्म प्रतिष्ठितम्,'पुरुषप्रवर भीष्म! आप ज्ञानमें सबसे बढ़े-चढ़े हैं। आपकी बुद्धिमें भूत, भविष्य और वर्तमान सब कुछ प्रतिष्ठित है
yac ca bhūtaṃ bhaviṣyaṃ ca bhavac ca puruṣarṣabha | sarvaṃ taj jñānavṛddhasya tava bhīṣma pratiṣṭhitam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O bull among men, O foremost of persons—Bhīṣma—because you are the most advanced in wisdom, within your understanding are firmly grounded all things: what has been, what will be, and what is now.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes Bhīṣma as an authoritative teacher whose wisdom comprehends the full scope of time—past, present, and future—thereby legitimizing his ethical and dharmic instruction in the Śānti Parva.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Bhīṣma is praised as supremely wise, setting the stage for his counsel. The statement functions as a framing endorsement of Bhīṣma’s capacity to guide others on dharma and right conduct.