Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच परावरज्ञे धर्मज्ञे तपोवननिवासिनि । साध्वि सुभ्रु सुकेशान्ते हिमवत्पर्वतात्मजे
śrīmaheśvara uvāca | parāvarajñe dharmajñe tapovanani-vāsini | sādhvi subhru sukeśānte himavat-parvatātmaje ||
श्रीमहेश्वर बोले— हे परावर-तत्त्व की जाननेवाली, धर्म की ज्ञाता, तपोवन में निवास करनेवाली! हे साध्वी, सुन्दर भौंहोंवाली, सुकेशोंवाली, हिमवत् पर्वत की आत्मजा!
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
The verse models ethical reverence: true worth is linked to knowledge of dharma and disciplined austerity. By praising these qualities in the mountain-born goddess, the text elevates inner virtue and spiritual insight over mere status.
Śiva begins speaking and addresses Pārvatī with honorific epithets—acknowledging her spiritual knowledge, dharmic discernment, and ascetic dwelling—setting a respectful tone for the instruction or discourse that follows.