Shloka 11
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
महाभारत &» ध्यानमग्न श्रीकृष्णसे युधिष्ठिर प्रश्न कर रहे हैं वासुदेव उवाच शरतल्पगतो भीष्म: शाम्यन्निव हुताशन: । मां ध्याति पुरुषव्याप्रस्ततो मे तद्गतं मन:
vāsudeva uvāca | śaratpalgato bhīṣmaḥ śāmyann iva hutāśanaḥ | māṃ dhyāti puruṣavyāghras tato me tadgataṃ manaḥ ||
ବାସୁଦେବ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ଶରଶଯ୍ୟାରେ ଶୟିତ ପୁରୁଷବ୍ୟାଘ୍ର ଭୀଷ୍ମ, ଯିଏ ଏବେ ନିଭୁଥିବା ଅଗ୍ନି ପରି ଶାନ୍ତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି, ସେ ମୋତେ ଧ୍ୟାନ କରୁଛନ୍ତି; ତେଣୁ ମୋର ମନ ମଧ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କଠାରେ ଲଗ୍ନ।
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights reciprocal devotion and moral attention: Bhīṣma, even in extreme suffering, steadies his mind in contemplation of Vāsudeva; in response, Vāsudeva’s own mind turns toward Bhīṣma. Ethically, it underscores steadfastness at life’s end and the honoring of a righteous elder whose inner focus remains aligned with dharma.
During the Śānti Parva setting after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira seeks guidance while Bhīṣma lies on the arrow-couch. Vāsudeva explains that Bhīṣma is presently meditating on him, and thus Vāsudeva’s attention is also absorbed in Bhīṣma—framing Bhīṣma’s condition and spiritual focus as the backdrop for ensuing instruction.