Shloka 22
धर्मद्वारबहुत्वविमर्शः — Reflection on the Many ‘Doors’ of Dharma (Śānti-parva 342)
नारायणात्मको ज्ञेय: पाण्डवेय युगे युगे । तस्मिन् हि पूज्यमाने वै देवदेवे महेश्वरे
nārāyaṇātmako jñeyaḥ pāṇḍaveya yuge yuge | tasmin hi pūjyamāne vai devadeve maheśvare
Arjuna berkata: “Wahai keturunan Pāṇḍu, ketahuilah bahawa dia itu hakikatnya Nārāyaṇa, pada setiap zaman. Kerana apabila Maheśvara—Tuhan segala tuhan—disembah dengan sewajarnya, maka prinsip ketuhanan tertinggi turut dimuliakan melalui dirinya.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a theological unity: Maheśvara, when rightly understood, is to be known as sharing the very essence of Nārāyaṇa across all ages. Thus worship offered to the supreme Lord (here named Maheśvara/Devadeva) is not sectarian rivalry but recognition of the one highest divinity manifest in different names and forms.
Arjuna is speaking to a Pāṇḍava addressee, affirming the status of Maheśvara (Śiva) as ‘Nārāyaṇa-natured’ and emphasizing the significance of worship directed to Devadeva Maheśvara. The statement functions as doctrinal clarification within the Śānti Parva’s broader ethical-religious instruction.