Shloka 13
धर्मस्य बहुद्वारत्वम् — Nārada’s Audience with Indra (Śānti-parva 340)
नच मां ते ददृशिरे न च द्रक्ष्यति कश्नन । ऋते हौकान्तिकश्रेष्ठात् त्वं चैवैकान्तिकोत्तम:
na ca māṃ te dadṛśire na ca drakṣyati kaścana | ṛte hy aikāntikaśreṣṭhāt tvaṃ caivāikāntikottamaḥ ||
अन्य लोगों ने न मुझे देखा है और न कोई आगे देख सकेगा। मेरे अनन्य भक्तों में जो श्रेष्ठ है, उसके सिवा कोई मनुष्य मेरा सच्चा दर्शन नहीं कर सकता। तुम मेरे अनन्य भक्तों में सर्वोत्तम हो; इसलिए तुम्हें मेरा दर्शन प्राप्त हुआ है।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Divine vision (darśana) is not presented as a general entitlement but as a grace granted to those with aikāntika-bhakti—exclusive, unwavering devotion. The verse emphasizes spiritual eligibility grounded in single-minded commitment rather than status or mere curiosity.
Bhīṣma, speaking in the Śānti Parva’s instructional setting, conveys a statement (in the voice of the divine or as a doctrinal assertion) that others could not perceive this divine presence, whereas the addressed person did—because that person is foremost among the Lord’s exclusive devotees.