ये विश्वके निवासस्थान और निर्गुण हैं। इन्हींको वासुदेव, जीवभूत संकर्षण, प्रद्युम्न और चौथा अनिरुद्ध कहते हैं। ये आत्मयोनि परमात्मा सबको अपनी आज्ञाके अधीन रखते हैं
ye viśvake nivāsasthānaṃ ca nirguṇāḥ | etān eva vāsudevaḥ, jīvabhūtaḥ saṅkarṣaṇaḥ, pradyumnaḥ, caturthaś cāniruddha iti vadanti | te ātmayoniḥ paramātmā sarvān svājñāyā adhīnaṃ kurvanti |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Siya ang mismong tahanan ng sansinukob at lampas sa mga guṇa. Tinatawag Siya ng marurunong na Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa (ang simulain ng buhay), Pradyumna, at bilang ikaapat, Aniruddha. Siya’y sariling-silang at Kataas-taasang Sarili, at pinananatili Niya ang lahat ng nilalang sa ilalim ng Kanyang kautusan.”
भीष्म उवाच
The verse presents a theological-metaphysical doctrine: the Supreme, beyond material qualities (nirguṇa), is the cosmic abode and governs all beings. This Supreme is described through the fourfold manifestation (Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha), emphasizing divine sovereignty and the ordered governance of the world.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma and higher truths. Here he shifts to a devotional and philosophical exposition, identifying the Supreme Lord’s forms and affirming that all beings remain under the Lord’s command.