Shloka 17
Śara-śayyā-sthita-bhīṣma-saṃvāda-prastāvaḥ
The Prelude to Questioning Bhīṣma on the Bed of Arrows
भीष्म उवाच दाहो मोह: श्रमश्चैव क्लमो ग्लानिस्तथा रुजा । तव प्रसादाद् वार्ष्णेय सद्यः प्रतिगतानि मे
bhīṣma uvāca | dāho mohaḥ śramaś caiva klamo glānis tathā rujā | tava prasādād vārṣṇeya sadyaḥ pratigatāni me ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Oh descendiente de los Vṛṣṇi, por tu gracia han desaparecido de mí al instante el ardor del dolor, la confusión de la mente, el cansancio, el agotamiento, el abatimiento y la enfermedad del cuerpo.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the transformative power of divine grace (prasāda): inner turmoil and bodily suffering can be calmed instantly when one receives the compassionate support of a higher spiritual authority. Ethically, it underscores humility and gratitude as Bhishma acknowledges Krishna as the source of relief and clarity.
In the Shanti Parva setting, Bhishma—lying on the bed of arrows and instructing Yudhishthira—addresses Krishna and states that, through Krishna’s favor, his burning pain, confusion, fatigue, dejection, and illness have immediately subsided, enabling him to speak and teach.