Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 19
The Kuru Line, Bhīṣma and Vyāsa; Pāṇḍavas, Parīkṣit, and Future Kings
Chandravaṁśa Continuation
सोमवंशे कलौ नष्टे कृतादौ स्थापयिष्यति । बाह्लीकात्सोमदत्तोऽभूद् भूरिर्भूरिश्रवास्तत: ॥ १८ ॥ शलश्च शान्तनोरासीद् गङ्गायां भीष्म आत्मवान् । सर्वधर्मविदां श्रेष्ठो महाभागवत: कवि: ॥ १९ ॥
soma-vaṁśe kalau naṣṭe kṛtādau sthāpayiṣyati bāhlīkāt somadatto ’bhūd bhūrir bhūriśravās tataḥ
Cuando la dinastía de Soma se extinga en la era de Kali, al comienzo del siguiente Satya-yuga Devāpi restablecerá en este mundo la estirpe de Soma. De Bāhlīka nació Somadatta, y de él nacieron Bhūri, Bhūriśravā y Śala. De Śāntanu, en el vientre de Gaṅgā, nació Bhīṣma: realizado en el Ser, el mejor entre los conocedores del dharma, gran bhāgavata y poeta.
FAQs
This verse praises Bhīṣma as ātmavān (self-controlled), the foremost knower of dharma, and a mahā-bhāgavata—an exalted devotee of the Lord, also described as a kavi (seer-poet).
Because his life embodies steadfast devotion and uncompromising commitment to dharma; the Bhagavatam highlights him as a great devotee, not merely a heroic warrior.
Practice ātmavattā—self-mastery and integrity—by choosing principled action over convenience, and grounding decisions in dharma (duty, truthfulness, and responsibility).