Shloka 44
धर्मस्य बहुद्वारत्वम् — Nārada’s Audience with Indra (Śānti-parva 340)
निर्गुणो निष्कलश्रैव निर्द्धन्द्ो निष्परिग्रह: । एतत् त्वया न विज्ञेयं रूपवानिति दृश्यते
nirguṇo niṣkalaś caiva nirdvandvo niṣparigrahaḥ | etat tvayā na vijñeyaṁ rūpavān iti dṛśyate ||
அவன் நிர்குணன், நிஷ்கலன், நிர்த்வந்த்வன், நிஷ்பரிக்ரஹன். சாதாரண அறிவின் பொருளாக அவனைப் பிடிக்க முடியாது; ஆயினும் அவன் ரூபமுடையவனெனத் தோன்றுகிறான்.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the highest reality is transcendent—beyond qualities, parts, dualities, and possessiveness—so it cannot be captured by ordinary objectifying knowledge; nevertheless, it can be experienced or perceived as if it has form, accommodating human perception and devotion.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction-setting, Bhīṣma continues his philosophical counsel, describing the nature of the supreme principle: intrinsically formless and unattached, yet appearing with form to the perceiver, highlighting the tension between ultimate reality and its accessible manifestation.