Shloka 20
Bhīṣmadeva’s Passing Away in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
यं मन्यसे मातुलेयं प्रियं मित्रं सुहृत्तमम् । अकरो: सचिवं दूतं सौहृदादथ सारथिम् ॥ २० ॥
yaṁ manyase mātuleyaṁ priyaṁ mitraṁ suhṛttamam akaroḥ sacivaṁ dūtaṁ sauhṛdād atha sārathim
ข้าแต่มหาราช บุคคลผู้ซึ่งด้วยความไม่รู้ท่านคิดว่าเป็นลูกพี่ลูกน้องฝ่ายมารดา เป็นมิตรอันเป็นที่รัก เป็นสหายผู้หวังดี และด้วยไมตรีท่านแต่งตั้งเป็นที่ปรึกษา เป็นทูต เป็นผู้เกื้อกูล และเป็นสารถี—ผู้นั้นเองคือพระผู้เป็นเจ้า ศรีกฤษณะ
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, although acting as the cousin, brother, friend, well-wisher, counselor, messenger, benefactor, etc., of the Pāṇḍavas, was still the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Out of His causeless mercy and favor upon His unalloyed devotees, He performs all kinds of service, but that does not mean that He has changed His position as the Absolute Person. To think of Him as an ordinary man is the grossest type of ignorance.
FAQs
This verse highlights that Kṛṣṇa accepted even the role of charioteer out of affection and loving relationship with His devotee, showing how the Lord willingly serves those devoted to Him.
Bhīṣma is pointing out Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary humility and intimacy with the Pāṇḍavas—though supreme, He accepted subordinate services—so Yudhiṣṭhira may recognize the Lord’s mercy and be consoled and strengthened in dharma.
Cultivate devotion expressed as service: approach God not only as distant ruler but as the closest well-wisher, and translate affection into practical acts—prayer, remembrance, and serving others as His devotees.