Shloka 19
सत्य–अनृत, प्रकाश–तमस्, स्वर्ग–नरक विवेचनम्
Truth and Untruth as Light and Darkness; Svarga and Naraka as Ethical Consequences
नभश्नोर्ध्व शिरस्तस्य क्षिति: पादौ भुजी दिश: । दुर्विज्ञेयो ह्मचिन्त्यात्मा सिद्धेरपि न संशय:
nabhaś cordhvaśirās tasya kṣitiḥ pādau bhujā diśaḥ | durvijñeyo hy acintyātmā siddher api na saṁśayaḥ ||
भीष्म उवाच—नभः शिरस्तस्योर्ध्वं, क्षितिः पादौ, दिशो भुजः। दुर्विज्ञेयोऽचिन्त्यात्मा; सिद्धेरपि न संशयः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a cosmic vision of the Supreme Self—pervading sky, earth, and all directions—stressing that this reality is beyond conceptual thought and therefore difficult to know, yet it can be realized through spiritual perfection (siddhi) and disciplined insight.
In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and higher wisdom. Here he describes the all-pervading nature of the ultimate Self in cosmic imagery, emphasizing both its transcendence (hard to grasp) and the possibility of direct realization by the spiritually accomplished.