Shloka 18
Nāmānirukta of Nārāyaṇa (Keśava–Viṣṇu–Vāsudeva) and the Rudra–Nārāyaṇa Unity Theme
त्रिषु लोकेषु यद् भूतं सर्व तव मते स्थितम् । तदाज्ञापय विदष्रषे ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते
triṣu lokeṣu yad bhūtaṁ sarvaṁ tava mate sthitam | tad ājñāpaya vidarṣe brūhi kiṁ karavāṇi te ||
भीष्म म्हणाला—तीनही लोकांत जे काही आहे किंवा जे घडून गेले आहे, ते सर्व तुमच्या ज्ञानात आहे. हे ब्रह्मर्षे! आज्ञा करा; सांगा—मी तुमची कोणती सेवा करू?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic humility: even a great warrior like Bhīṣma approaches a seer as the higher authority in wisdom, acknowledging the sage’s comprehensive knowledge and offering obedient service as the proper stance for receiving ethical instruction.
Bhīṣma addresses a revered sage (described as a clear-sighted brahmarṣi), praising his all-knowing insight across the three worlds and asking for direct instruction—what he should do and how he may serve—setting the stage for counsel on dharma.