Shloka 61
Saṃhāra-krama (The Sequence of Cosmic Dissolution) — Yājñavalkya’s Discourse
नागान् नगान् यक्षगणान् दिशश्व गन्धर्वसंघान् पुरुषान् स्त्रियश्न । परस्पर प्राप्प महान्महात्मा विशेत योगी न चिराद् विमुक्त:
bhīṣma uvāca |
nāgān nagān yakṣagaṇān diśaś ca gandharvasaṅghān puruṣān striyaś ca |
parasparaṃ prāpya mahān mahātmā viśet yogī na cirād vimuktaḥ ||
नागान् नगान् यक्षगणान् दिशश्च गन्धर्वसंघान् पुरुषान् स्त्रियश्च। परस्परं प्राप्य महान्महात्मा विशेत योगी न चिराद् विमुक्तः॥ स योगबलेन यथेष्टं सञ्चरन् भूतयोनिषु प्रविशेत्; परं निःश्रेयसं तु मोक्ष एव इति भावः॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yogic mastery can yield extraordinary powers (such as moving among and ‘entering’ various beings or realms), but the higher aim is swift liberation (vimukti). The verse contrasts siddhi-like capacities with the superior goal of moksha.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and spiritual disciplines, Bhishma describes the capacities of a perfected yogin: he may quickly attain liberation, or—by yogic power—move through different classes of beings and realms, reaching and entering them at will.