Shloka 12
Bhīṣma’s Hymn to Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa’s Criteria for Divine Self-Disclosure
भवांस्तु मम भक्तश्च नित्यं चार्जवमास्थित: । दमे तपसि सत्ये च दाने च निरत: शुचि:
bhavāṁstu mama bhaktaś ca nityaṁ cārjavam āsthitaḥ | dame tapasi satye ca dāne ca nirataḥ śuciḥ ||
வாயு கூறினார்— நீர் என் பக்தனே; எப்போதும் நேர்மையான எளிமையில் நிலைத்திருப்பவர். புலனடக்கம், தவம், சத்தியம், தானம் ஆகியவற்றில் ஈடுபட்டவர்; நடத்தையில் தூயவர்.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises and upholds a dharmic character: devotion joined with moral simplicity (ārjava), sense-control (dama), disciplined effort (tapas), truthfulness (satya), and generosity (dāna). It presents purity (śuci) as the natural outcome of sustained ethical practice.
Vāyu addresses a person he recognizes as his devotee, affirming the devotee’s established virtues. The speech functions as a commendation and validation of the listener’s conduct, highlighting the qualities expected of an exemplary dharmic individual in the Śānti Parva’s moral discourse.