Shloka 20
Adhyātma–Adhibhūta–Adhidaivata Correspondences and the Triguṇa Lakṣaṇas (Śānti-parva 301)
विष्णु क्रान्ते बले शक्रं कोष्ठे सक्ते तथानलम् । अप्सु देवीं समासक्तामपस्तेजसि संश्रिता:
viṣṇu-krānte bale śakraṁ koṣṭhe sakte tathānalam | apsu devīṁ samāsaktām apas-tejasi saṁśritāḥ ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ— ଗତି ଓ ଆଧାର ବିଷ୍ଣୁରେ ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ; ବଳ ଶକ୍ର (ଇନ୍ଦ୍ର)ରେ; ଉଦରରେ ଅଗ୍ନି ସ୍ଥିର। ଦେବୀ ଜଳରେ ସମାସକ୍ତ, ଏବଂ ଜଳ ତେଜରେ ଆଶ୍ରିତ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a hierarchy of support among powers and elements: gods and forces function by resting in deeper principles. This encourages humility and dharmic insight—recognizing that personal or worldly power is derivative, sustained by a larger cosmic order.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on higher knowledge and right understanding. Here he presents a cosmological mapping—linking deities and elements—to show how creation is structured through mutual dependence and ultimate grounding.