Shloka 26
बलीन्द्रसंवादः — Kāla, Anityatā, and the Limits of Agency
Mahābhārata 12.217
युक्ते धारणया सम्यक् सतः केचिदुपासते । अभ्यस्यन्ति परं देवं विद्युत्संशब्दिताक्षरम्
bhīṣma uvāca | yukte dhāraṇayā samyak sataḥ kecid upāsate | abhyasyanti paraṁ devaṁ vidyut-saṁśabditākṣaram |
ビーシュマは語った。「ある者は正しく調御され、堅固な集中（ダーラナー, dhāraṇā）によって実在（サット, Sat）を礼拝する。またある者は、滅びず、稲妻のごとく光り輝くと説かれる至上主を観想し、道は異なれども誠実な霊的規律によって最高の善を求める。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms that sincere seekers approach the highest reality through different disciplines: some worship the Real (sat) via well-formed concentration (dhāraṇā), while others cultivate contemplation of the Supreme, described as radiant and imperishable. It validates multiple yogic-devotional approaches when practiced correctly.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and liberation, Bhishma continues teaching about spiritual practice. He explains that people of different temperaments pursue the ultimate goal through distinct modes of worship and meditation, emphasizing disciplined practice rather than sectarian exclusivity.