Shloka 233
धर्मद्वारबहुत्वविमर्शः — Reflection on the Many ‘Doors’ of Dharma (Śānti-parva 342)
तस्मादात्मानमेवाग्रे रुद्रं सम्पूजयाम्यहम् | पाण्डुकुमार! मैं सम्पूर्ण जगत्का आत्मा हूँ। इसलिये मैं पहले अपने आत्मारूप रुद्रकी ही पूजा करता हूँ
tasmād ātmānam evāgre rudraṃ sampūjayāmy aham |
तस्मादात्मानमेवाग्रे रुद्रं सम्पूजयाम्यहम् । पाण्डुकुमार, अहं समस्तजगत आत्मा । तस्मादहं प्रथमतः स्वात्मरूपं रुद्रमेव पूजयामि ॥
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a theological-ethical vision in which Rudra is not merely an external deity but the very Self (Ātman). Worship is grounded in inner realization: honoring the divine as the indwelling consciousness of oneself and of all beings.
Arjuna speaks and declares that he will first perform worship of Rudra, identifying Rudra with his own Self. The statement frames devotion as beginning from the recognition of the divine presence within, before any outward ritual or action.