Shloka 23
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
एवं विदित्वा तत्त्वार्थ लोकानामीश्ररेश्वर: । वासुदेवो नमस्कार्य: सर्वलोकै: सुरोत्तमा:
evaṁ viditvā tattvārthaṁ lokānām īśvareśvaraḥ | vāsudevo namaskāryaḥ sarvalokaiḥ surottamaḥ ||
Wahai para dewa yang utama! Setelah memahami hakikat sebenar dan makna terdalam segala sesuatu, semua manusia hendaklah menundukkan diri memberi sembah kepada Vāsudeva—Tuhan tertinggi di atas segala penguasa alam—yang paling mulia dalam kalangan para dewa.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True understanding (tattvārtha) should lead to reverence: recognizing Vāsudeva as the supreme Lord, one ought to offer respectful salutation. Knowledge is presented as incomplete if it does not transform conduct into humility and devotion.
Bhīṣma is speaking and, in a didactic tone, directs the audience toward acknowledging Vāsudeva’s supreme status. The verse functions as a theological affirmation within the broader Bhīṣma Parva context, urging universal reverence for Kṛṣṇa.