Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 19
सोमवंशे कलौ नष्टे कृतादौ स्थापयिष्यति । बाह्लीकात्सोमदत्तोऽभूद् भूरिर्भूरिश्रवास्तत: ॥ १८ ॥ शलश्च शान्तनोरासीद् गङ्गायां भीष्म आत्मवान् । सर्वधर्मविदां श्रेष्ठो महाभागवत: कवि: ॥ १९ ॥
soma-vaṁśe kalau naṣṭe kṛtādau sthāpayiṣyati bāhlīkāt somadatto ’bhūd bhūrir bhūriśravās tataḥ
कलियुगे सोमवंशे नष्टे सति देवापिः कृतयुगादौ लोके सोमवंशं पुनः स्थापयिष्यति। बाह्लीकात् सोमदत्तोऽभूत्, तस्माद् भूरिः भूरिश्रवाः शलश्च। शान्तनोः गङ्गायां भीष्मो जज्ञे—आत्मवान्, सर्वधर्मविदां श्रेष्ठः, महाभागवतः कविः।
FAQs
This verse praises Bhīṣma as ātmavān (self-controlled), the foremost knower of dharma, and a mahā-bhāgavata—an exalted devotee of the Lord, also described as a kavi (seer-poet).
Because his life embodies steadfast devotion and uncompromising commitment to dharma; the Bhagavatam highlights him as a great devotee, not merely a heroic warrior.
Practice ātmavattā—self-mastery and integrity—by choosing principled action over convenience, and grounding decisions in dharma (duty, truthfulness, and responsibility).