Shloka 24
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
सेन्द्रा देवास्त्रयस्त्रिंशदेष नात्र विचारणा । आदिदेवो महादेव: सर्वभूतप्रतिश्रय:
sendrā devās trayastriṃśad eṣa nātra vicāraṇā | ādidevo mahādevaḥ sarvabhūtapratiśrayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Tiga puluh tiga dewa, bersama Indra, sesungguhnya adalah Dia sendiri—tiada ruang untuk ragu. Dialah Dewa Purba, Mahādeva, tempat berlindung dan penopang segala makhluk.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a theological unity: the traditionally enumerated ‘thirty-three gods’ (including Indra) are understood as manifestations or expressions of Mahādeva, who is proclaimed the primordial deity and the universal refuge. It discourages sectarian doubt by asserting a single supreme support behind the many divine forms.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and sacred matters. Here he offers a doctrinal affirmation in praise of Mahādeva, identifying the Vedic pantheon (the thirty-three gods with Indra) with him and emphasizing Mahādeva’s role as the shelter of all beings.