Shloka 111

Devanagari script

ईशान वज्संघात हरिकेश नमो<स्तु ते । त्रयम्बकाम्बिकनाथाय व्यक्ताव्यक्त नमोस्तु ते,ईशान! आपका शरीर वज्रके समान कठोर है। हरिकेश! आपको नमस्कार है। व्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूप परमेश्वर! आप त्रिनेत्रधारी तथा अम्बिकाके स्वामी हैं। आपको नमस्कार है

Transliteration

īśāna vajrasaṅghāta harikeśa namo 'stu te | trayambakāmbikanāthāya vyaktāvyakta namo 'stu te ||

Translation

ఈశానా! వజ్రసంఘాతమువలె కఠినదేహుడా! హరికేశా! నీకు నమస్కారం. వ్యక్త-అవ్యక్త స్వరూప పరమేశ్వరా! త్రినేత్రధారివి, అంబికానాథా! నీకు నమస్కారం॥

Word by Word

ईशानO Iśāna (Lord Śiva)

वज्रसङ्घातO (one like) a mass/cluster of thunderbolts

हरिकेशO one with tawny/yellow hair

नमःsalutation

अस्तुlet there be / may it be

तेto you

त्र्यम्बक-अम्बिका-नाथायto the three-eyed one, the lord of Ambikā

व्यक्त-अव्यक्तO (one who is) manifest and unmanifest

नमःsalutation

अस्तुlet there be / may it be

तेto you

ईशानO Iśāna

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhīṣma

Śiva (Īśāna, Harikeśa, Trayambaka, Ambikanātha)

Ambikā (Pārvatī/Durgā)

Vajra (thunderbolt)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches reverent devotion to the supreme reality identified with Śiva, who is simultaneously beyond form (unmanifest) and present within the world (manifest). Ethical orientation is expressed through humility and surrender before that ultimate, all-pervading power.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Śānti Parva, Bhīṣma—while instructing on dharma—utters a praise-hymn (stuti) to Śiva, invoking multiple epithets that highlight Śiva’s might (adamantine body), auspicious form (golden hair, three eyes), and metaphysical status (manifest/unmanifest).