Shloka 21
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
मैं मूर्तिमती एवं अनन्यचित्त होकर तो भगवान् नारायणमें ही सम्पूर्ण भावसे निवास करती हूँ; क्योंकि उनमें महान् धर्म संनिहित है। उनका ब्राह्मणोंके प्रति प्रेम है और उनमें स्वयं सर्वप्रिय होनेका गुण भी है ।।
nāhaṃ śarīreṇa vasāmi devi naivaṃ mayā śakyam ihābhidhātum | bhāvena yasmin nivāsāmi puṃsi sa vardhate dharmayaśo'rthakāmaiḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O diyosa, hindi ako nananahan sa pamamagitan ng pisikal na katawan saanman maliban kay Nārāyaṇa; ni hindi ko rin masasabing totoo na ako’y naninirahan sa lahat ng dako sa iisang nakikitang anyo. Sa halip, ako’y nananahan sa pamamagitan ng ‘bhāva’—ng panloob na layon at debosyon—sa lalaking aking tinatahanan; at siya’y patuloy na lumalago sa dharma at mabuting pangalan, at pinagkakalooban din ng kasaganaan at ng wastong ligaya ng buhay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Divine presence is not merely physical or universally manifest in one fixed form; it is realized through bhava—inner devotion and intent. Where such devotion is present, the person’s life tends to flourish in dharma (righteous conduct), yashas (honor), artha (prosperity), and kama (legitimate enjoyment).
Bhishma addresses a goddess and clarifies how the divine ‘dwells’ in people: not as a constant bodily manifestation everywhere, but as an inward presence established through a person’s devotional attitude. He links that inner indwelling to the person’s ethical and worldly uplift.