Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 24
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
सेन्द्रा देवास्त्रयस्त्रिंशदेष नात्र विचारणा । आदिदेवो महादेव: सर्वभूतप्रतिश्रय:
sendrā devās trayastriṃśad eṣa nātra vicāraṇā | ādidevo mahādevaḥ sarvabhūtapratiśrayaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Ang tatlumpu’t tatlong diyos, kasama si Indra, ay tunay na Siya ring ito—walang dapat pagdudahan. Siya ang Diyos na Pinagmulan, ang Mahādeva, ang kanlungan at sandigan ng lahat ng nilalang.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a theological unity: the traditionally enumerated ‘thirty-three gods’ (including Indra) are understood as manifestations or expressions of Mahādeva, who is proclaimed the primordial deity and the universal refuge. It discourages sectarian doubt by asserting a single supreme support behind the many divine forms.
In the Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and sacred matters. Here he offers a doctrinal affirmation in praise of Mahādeva, identifying the Vedic pantheon (the thirty-three gods with Indra) with him and emphasizing Mahādeva’s role as the shelter of all beings.