Shloka 38
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
स एष शाश्चतो देव: सर्वगुह्ममय: शिव: । वासुदेव इति ज्ञेयो यन्मां पृष्छसि भारत,भारत! जिनके विषयमें तुम मुझसे पूछ रहे हो, वे सनातन देवता सर्वगुह्ममय कल्याणस्वरूप परमात्मा ही 'वासुदेव” नामसे जाननेयोग्य हैं
sa eṣa śāśvato devaḥ sarvaguhyamayaḥ śivaḥ | vāsudeva iti jñeyo yan māṃ pṛcchasi bhārata ||
Bhīṣma said: “He indeed is the eternal God—auspicious and the very embodiment of all sacred mysteries. Know Him as Vāsudeva, O Bhārata, about whom you are asking me.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse identifies Vāsudeva as the eternal, auspicious Supreme Deity who embodies all sacred and esoteric truths, implying that ultimate dharma and spiritual understanding culminate in recognizing the divine reality as Vāsudeva.
Bhīṣma responds to a question from a Kuru descendant (“Bhārata”), clarifying the identity and nature of the deity being discussed: the one inquired about is to be understood as Vāsudeva, characterized as eternal and supremely auspicious.