Shloka 42
Bhīṣma’s Śara-śayyā Stuti to Vāsudeva and Yogic Preparation for Dehotsarga
Body-Relinquishment
यं बृहन्तं बृहत्युक्थे यमग्नौ यं महाध्वरे । यं विप्रसंघा गायन्ति तस्मै वेदात्मने नम:,उक्थनामक बृहत् यज्ञके समय, अग्न्याधानकालमें तथा महायागमें ब्राह्मणवृन्द जिनका ब्रह्मके रूपमें स््तवन करते हैं, उन वेदस्वरूप भगवान्को नमस्कार है
yaṁ bṛhantaṁ bṛhatyukthe yam agnau yaṁ mahādhvare | yaṁ viprasaṅghā gāyanti tasmai vedātmane namaḥ ||
Bhishma dijo: «Saludo con reverencia a ese Señor que es el alma misma del Veda: a quien los sacerdotes invocan como “el Grande” en el gran sacrificio Uktha; a quien adoran en el fuego consagrado; y a quien, en los ritos sacrificiales poderosos, las asambleas de brahmanes alaban como el propio Brahman».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the Supreme is not separate from the Veda and yajña: the same ultimate reality is praised through Vedic recitation, honored in the sacrificial fire, and recognized by learned Brahmins as Brahman. It emphasizes reverence, unity of ritual and metaphysical truth, and devotion grounded in Vedic tradition.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and higher truths, Bhishma offers a reverential salutation. He identifies the worshiped deity as the Veda’s very essence, celebrated in major sacrificial contexts (Uktha rites, Agni worship, and great yajñas) by assemblies of Brahmins.