Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
स हि भूतं भविष्यच्च भवच्च भरतर्षभ । वेत्ति धर्मविदां श्रेष्ठ तमस्मि मनसा गत:
sa hi bhūtaṃ bhaviṣyac ca bhavac ca bharatarṣabha | vetti dharmavidāṃ śreṣṭhas tam asmi manasā gataḥ ||
“Wahai lembu jantan di antara kaum Bharata, tokoh terunggul yang mengetahui dharma itu memahami apa yang telah berlaku, apa yang akan berlaku, dan apa yang sedang berlaku. Kepada Bhīṣma itulah—yang terbaik antara para bijaksana dalam kebenaran—batinku telah berpaling dalam renungan.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True mastery of dharma is portrayed as comprehensive discernment—an ability to judge rightly across time (past, present, and future). The verse elevates Bhīṣma as an exemplary authority whose insight merits inward recollection and reliance.
Vāsudeva speaks while reflecting on Bhīṣma’s exceptional dharma-knowledge. He indicates that his mind has turned toward Bhīṣma, implicitly acknowledging him as the appropriate guide or reference point for understanding righteous conduct.