Shloka 20
Bhīṣma’s Dream-Counsel and the Prasvāpa Astra (भीष्मस्वप्नदर्शनम् / प्रस्वापास्त्रोपदेशः)
नर: प्रजापतिर्वीर: पूर्वदेव: सनातन: । सव्यसाचीति विख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वीर्यवान् | भीष्ममृत्युर्यथाकालं विहितो वै स्वयम्भुवा
bhīṣma uvāca | naraḥ prajāpatiḥ vīraḥ pūrvadevaḥ sanātanaḥ | savyasācīti vikhyātas triṣu lokeṣu vīryavān | bhīṣma-mṛtyur yathā-kālaṃ vihito vai svayambhuvā ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ନର ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ପ୍ରଜାପତି, ବୀର, ପୂର୍ବଦେବ, ସନାତନ। ସେ ବୀର୍ୟବାନ ହୋଇ ତିନି ଲୋକରେ ‘ସବ୍ୟସାଚୀ’ ନାମରେ ବିଖ୍ୟାତ ହେବେ। ସ୍ୱୟମ୍ଭୂ ଯଥାକାଳ ଭୀଷ୍ମମୃତ୍ୟୁକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ହିଁ ବିଧିତ କରିଛନ୍ତି।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Bhīṣma’s destined end within cosmic governance: heroic agency operates, yet outcomes unfold according to an ordained time (yathā-kālam) set by the Creator. It highlights the ethical idea that even in war, events are situated within a larger dharmic and providential order.
Bhīṣma identifies Nara—understood here as manifesting as Arjuna, famed as Savyasācī—as the divinely appointed instrument for Bhīṣma’s death at the proper time, emphasizing Arjuna’s world-renowned valor and the preordination of key events in the coming conflict.