Shloka 9
प्रजापतयः देवगणाश्च दिशि-दिशि स्थिताः ऋषयः
Prajāpatis, Deva-Groups, and the Ṛṣis Assigned to the Directions
स मे भवान् शंसतु सर्वमेतत् सामान्यशब्दैश्व विशेषणैश्न । स मे भवान् शंसतु तावदेत- ज्ज्ञाने फलं कर्मणि वा यदस्ति
sa me bhavān śaṃsatu sarvam etat sāmānyaśabdaiś ca viśeṣaṇaiś ca | sa me bhavān śaṃsatu tāvad etaj jñāne phalaṃ karmaṇi vā yad asti ||
भीष्म बोले—आप कृपा करके यह सब मुझे बताइये—सामान्य शब्दों में भी और विशेष भेदों के साथ भी। फिर यह भी कहिये कि ज्ञान का फल क्या है, और कर्म का फल क्या है—यदि इनमें कोई भेद है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma requests a clear doctrinal clarification: explain the topic both broadly and with fine distinctions, especially the respective ‘fruits’ (results) of jñāna (knowledge) and karma (action). The verse frames a classic Mahābhārata concern—how to weigh inner realization against outward duty in the pursuit of dharma and the highest good.
Within the Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, Bhīṣma (as teacher) continues a careful inquiry into dharma by asking his interlocutor to articulate the matter systematically—first in general language, then with specific differentiations—focusing on whether knowledge and action yield distinct outcomes.