Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
ततो देवा: सगन्धर्वा मुनयो5प्सरसो5पि च । कथां तां ब्रह्मणा गीतां श्रुत्वा प्रीता दिवं ययु:
tato devāḥ sagandharvā munayo 'psaraso 'pi ca | kathāṃ tāṃ brahmaṇā gītāṃ śrutvā prītā divaṃ yayuḥ ||
तत्पश्चात् ब्रह्माजी की गायी हुई उस परमार्थ-चर्चा को सुनकर देवता, गन्धर्व, मुनि और अप्सराएँ—ये सभी प्रसन्न होकर स्वर्गलोक को चले गये।
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights the power of hearing (śravaṇa) a true paramārtha-kathā: when ultimate truth is proclaimed by a trustworthy source (here, Brahmā), it produces inner satisfaction (prīti) and an elevating outcome, symbolized by the listeners’ return to heaven.
Bhīṣma reports that after Brahmā delivered a sacred discourse, the assembled celestial beings—gods, Gandharvas, sages, and Apsarases—listened, became pleased, and then departed to the heavenly realm.