Shloka 25
Puruṣaikatva-vyākhyāna: The One Virāṭ Puruṣa and the Many ‘Puruṣas’
Rudra–Brahmā Saṃvāda
भूमेर्विवरगो भूत्वा तावत् त्वं कालमाप्स्यसि । यज्ञेषु सुहुतां विप्रैर्वसोर्धारां समाहितैः
bhūmervivarago bhūtvā tāvat tvaṃ kālam āpsyasi | yajñeṣu suhutāṃ viprair vasordhārāṃ samāhitaiḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Devenu habitant d’une fissure de la terre, tu y demeureras pour cette durée précise. Durant ce temps, les oblations du “courant de richesse” (vasoḥ-dhārā), offertes comme il se doit dans les sacrifices par des brāhmaṇa au mental concentré, continueront de te parvenir.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one is bound by a curse or adverse fate, dharmic supports—especially properly performed yajña by disciplined brāhmaṇas—can transmit sustaining merit and relief. The verse highlights the efficacy of correct ritual action and focused intention (samāhita) in generating beneficial results.
Bhīṣma describes a condition in which the addressed person must remain in an earthly fissure for a fixed duration, yet receives an ongoing boon: the properly offered vasordhārā oblations in sacrifices performed by concentrated brāhmaṇas will reach and sustain him throughout that confinement.