Shloka 24
Adhyāya 352: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Saṃvāda — Uñchavrata-niścaya
Dialogue and the Resolve to Practice Uñchavrata
को हासौ चिन्त्यते ब्रद्वंस्त्वयैक: पुरुषोत्तम: । एतनमे संशयं ब्रूहि महत् कौतूहलं हि मे,प्रभो! आप जिन एक पुरुषोत्तमका चिन्तन करते हैं, वे कौन हैं? मेरे इस संशयका समाधान कीजिये। इस विषयको सुननेके लिये मेरे मनमें बड़ी उत्कण्ठा हो रही है
ko hāsau cintyate brāhmaṁs tvayaikaḥ puruṣottamaḥ | etan me saṁśayaṁ brūhi mahat kautūhalaṁ hi me prabho ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai brāhmaṇa yang mulia, siapakah satu-satunya Puruṣottama—Insan Tertinggi—yang engkau renungkan itu? Mohon lenyapkan keraguanku ini. Besar sekali keinginanku untuk mendengar hal ini, wahai tuan.”
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic inquiry: when a supreme object of meditation is mentioned, one should seek clarity about its identity and nature. It emphasizes humility, careful questioning, and eagerness to learn about the highest spiritual ideal (Puruṣottama).
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma addresses a learned interlocutor and asks who the ‘one Puruṣottama’ is that the other person contemplates. Bhīṣma expresses doubt and strong curiosity, requesting an explicit explanation.