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 |
ഇതുതന്നെ പരമതേജസ്; ഇതുതന്നെ പരമസുഖം. ഇതുതന്നെ പരമസത്യം—എന്ന് വിശ്വകർമ്മാവ് കീര്ത്തിച്ചു.
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.