Shloka 76
Bhīṣma’s Śara-śayyā Stuti to Vāsudeva and Yogic Preparation for Dehotsarga
Body-Relinquishment
रसातलगत: श्रीमाननन्तो भगवान् विभु: । जगद्ू धारयते कृत्स्नं तस्मै वीर्यात्मने नम:,जो सर्वव्यापक भगवान् श्रीमान् अनन्त नामक शेषनागके रूपमें रसातलमें रहकर सम्पूर्ण जगतके अपने मस्तकपर धारण करते हैं, उन वीर्यरूप परमेश्वरको प्रणाम है
rasātalagataḥ śrīmān ananto bhagavān vibhuḥ | jagad dhārayate kṛtsnaṃ tasmai vīryātmane namaḥ ||
ขอนอบน้อมแด่วีรยาตมัน ผู้เป็นพลังอันยิ่งใหญ่ คือพระอนันตะ (เศษะ) ผู้รุ่งเรืองและทรงอำนาจ ผู้สถิต ณ รสาตละ และทรงค้ำจุนจักรวาลทั้งสิ้นไว้
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches reverence for the divine principle that sustains cosmic order: Ananta/Śeṣa, portrayed as the Lord’s endless power, supports the whole universe. Ethically, it encourages humility and devotion by reminding humans that stability and protection ultimately rest on a higher sustaining force.
In Bhīṣma’s discourse in the Śānti Parva, he recites a praise-salutation. Here he specifically bows to Ananta (Śeṣa), described as dwelling in Rasātala and bearing the universe on his head, as part of a devotional/theological passage.