Shloka 17
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
एतत् परमकं तेज एतत् परमकं सुखम् | एतत् परमकं सत्य कीर्तितं विश्वकर्मणा,'ये ही पुरुष नामसे कहे जाते हैं, किंतु इनका वास्तविक रूप जाना नहीं जा सकता। ये ही विश्वस्रष्टा ब्रह्माजीके द्वारा परम सुख, परम तेज और परम सत्य कहे गये हैं
etad paramakaṃ teja etad paramakaṃ sukham | etad paramakaṃ satyaṃ kīrtitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā |
Bhīṣma said: “This indeed is the supreme radiance; this is the supreme bliss. This is the supreme truth—so it has been proclaimed by the cosmic creator (Viśvakarman).” In the ethical frame of the discourse, Bhīṣma points beyond mere names and descriptions to an ultimate reality that grounds right understanding and right conduct.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse identifies an ultimate principle—described as supreme radiance, supreme bliss, and supreme truth—affirming that the highest good is not merely a named concept but a reality recognized by authoritative tradition (here attributed to Viśvakarman).
Bhīṣma is speaking and elevates the discussion from external labels to the highest reality, presenting it as the foundation of true understanding and the ethical orientation that should guide action amid the Mahābhārata’s conflict.