Shloka 8
Adhyātma–Adhibhūta–Adhidaivata Correspondences and the Triguṇa Lakṣaṇas (Śānti-parva 301)
राजर्षिविषयान ज्ञात्वा ब्रद्मर्षिविषयांस्तथा | आसुरान् विषयान ज्ञात्वा वैश्वदेवांस्तथैव च
bhīṣma uvāca | rājarṣi-viṣayān jñātvā brahmarṣi-viṣayāṁs tathā | āsurān viṣayān jñātvā vaiśvadevāṁs tathaiva ca ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô seigneur des hommes, ayant compris les sphères (et les objets d’expérience) propres aux rois-voyants, et de même celles des brahma-voyants ; ayant compris aussi les sphères propres aux Asuras et, de la même manière, celles des Viśvedevas…» (Il poursuit en décrivant le discernement exhaustif par lequel le connaissant évalue les mérites et les défauts de tous ces mondes et accomplissements, et se tourne ainsi vers la connaissance libératrice.)
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse begins a teaching on comprehensive discernment: one should understand the various ‘domains’ or attainments associated with different classes of beings and sages (royal seers, brahma-seers, Asuras, Viśvedevas, etc.). The broader point (continued in the surrounding passage) is to see the limits, merits, and defects of all experiential realms so that the mind turns from mere attainment toward liberating knowledge.
In Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and liberation. Here Bhishma is enumerating categories of realms/objects of experience and indicating that a true knower investigates them all—rather than being captivated by any single heavenly, ascetic, or powerful status—so as to pursue the path leading to freedom.