Shloka 16
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
यत् तत् पुरुषसंज्ञं वै गीयते ज्ञायते न च,'ये ही पुरुष नामसे कहे जाते हैं, किंतु इनका वास्तविक रूप जाना नहीं जा सकता। ये ही विश्वस्रष्टा ब्रह्माजीके द्वारा परम सुख, परम तेज और परम सत्य कहे गये हैं
yat tat puruṣasaṃjñaṃ vai gīyate jñāyate na ca
Disse Bhīṣma: Essa realidade que, de fato, é mencionada sob a designação de «Puruṣa» é louvada no discurso sagrado, e contudo não pode ser plenamente apreendida pelo saber comum. O próprio Criador a proclama como a bem-aventurança suprema, o esplendor supremo e a verdade suprema—apontando para além dos nomes, ao fundamento inefável de todo o ser.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes between naming and knowing: the ultimate principle is called “Puruṣa” and is praised in tradition, but it transcends complete capture by ordinary cognition. It urges humility before the Absolute and points to a reality known more by realization than by mere description.
Bhishma is instructing his listener on the nature of the highest reality. In the midst of Bhishma Parva’s larger war setting, the discourse turns to spiritual foundations—affirming that beyond battlefield outcomes stands an ultimate truth that is praised by sages yet remains beyond full conceptual grasp.