Shloka 11
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
महाभारत &» ध्यानमग्न श्रीकृष्णसे युधिष्ठिर प्रश्न कर रहे हैं वासुदेव उवाच शरतल्पगतो भीष्म: शाम्यन्निव हुताशन: । मां ध्याति पुरुषव्याप्रस्ततो मे तद्गतं मन:,श्रीकृष्णने कहा--राजन्! बाण-शय्यापर पड़े हुए पुरुषसिंह भीष्म, जो इस समय बुझती हुई आगके समान हो रहे हैं, मेरा ध्यान कर रहे हैं; इसलिये मेरा मन भी उन्हींमें लगा हुआ है
vāsudeva uvāca | śaratpalgato bhīṣmaḥ śāmyann iva hutāśanaḥ | māṃ dhyāti puruṣavyāghras tato me tadgataṃ manaḥ ||
Vāsudeva bersabda: “Wahai Raja, Bhīṣma—harimau di antara manusia—yang terbaring di ranjang anak panah dan kini laksana api yang meredup, sedang bermeditasi kepadaku. Karena itu pikiranku pun tertambat padanya.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights reciprocal devotion and moral attention: Bhīṣma, even in extreme suffering, steadies his mind in contemplation of Vāsudeva; in response, Vāsudeva’s own mind turns toward Bhīṣma. Ethically, it underscores steadfastness at life’s end and the honoring of a righteous elder whose inner focus remains aligned with dharma.
During the Śānti Parva setting after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira seeks guidance while Bhīṣma lies on the arrow-couch. Vāsudeva explains that Bhīṣma is presently meditating on him, and thus Vāsudeva’s attention is also absorbed in Bhīṣma—framing Bhīṣma’s condition and spiritual focus as the backdrop for ensuing instruction.