Shloka 12
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
“ऋषियोंमें श्रेष्ठ जो पुरातन महर्षि अमित तेजस्वी नर और नारायण हैं, वे एक साथ मानवलोकमें अवतीर्ण होंगे ।। अजेयौ समरे यत्तौ सहितैरमरैरपि । मूढास्त्वेती न जानन्ति नरनारायणावृषी
ṛṣīṇāṁ śreṣṭhau yau purātanau maharṣī amit-tejasvī narāyaṇaś ca naraś ca, tau yugapad mānava-loke avatariṣyataḥ. ajeyau samare yattau sahitair amarair api; mūḍhās tv etī na jānanti nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī.
Bhīṣma berkata: “Dalam kalangan para ṛṣi, yang terunggul ialah dua maharsi purba, Nara dan Nārāyaṇa, yang bersinar dengan keagungan tiada terukur. Kedua-duanya akan turun bersama ke alam manusia. Apabila mereka bangkit untuk perang, mereka tidak dapat ditewaskan—walau para dewa bersatu sekalipun. Namun orang yang terpedaya tidak mengenal siapakah sebenarnya dua resi, Nara dan Nārāyaṇa itu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True spiritual stature is often hidden from ordinary perception: the deluded fail to recognize Nara and Nārāyaṇa’s divine-seer nature. The verse stresses discernment (viveka) and warns that outward appearances can conceal extraordinary dharmic power.
Bhīṣma identifies Nara and Nārāyaṇa as the foremost ancient sages who will descend together into the human realm, declaring them invincible in battle—even against a coalition of gods—while noting that many remain ignorant of their real identity.