Shloka 12
Adhyāya 69: Strategic duels under Bhīṣma’s command
Virāṭa–Bhīṣma; Arjuna–Aśvatthāmā; Bhīma–Duryodhana; Abhimanyu–Lakṣmaṇa
“ऋषियोंमें श्रेष्ठ जो पुरातन महर्षि अमित तेजस्वी नर और नारायण हैं, वे एक साथ मानवलोकमें अवतीर्ण होंगे ।। अजेयौ समरे यत्तौ सहितैरमरैरपि । मूढास्त्वेती न जानन्ति नरनारायणावृषी
ṛṣīṇāṁ śreṣṭhau yau purātanau maharṣī amit-tejasvī narāyaṇaś ca naraś ca, tau yugapad mānava-loke avatariṣyataḥ. ajeyau samare yattau sahitair amarair api; mūḍhās tv etī na jānanti nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī.
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Sa mga ṛṣi, ang pinakadakila ay ang sinaunang dakilang pantas na sina Nara at Nārāyaṇa, na may ningning na di masukat. Silang dalawa ay sabay na bababa sa daigdig ng mga tao. Kapag sila’y nagising para sa digmaan, sila’y di matatalo—kahit magsama-sama pa ang mga diyos. Ngunit ang mga nalilinlang ay hindi nakikilala kung sino talaga ang dalawang ṛṣi na sina Nara at Nārāyaṇa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
True spiritual stature is often hidden from ordinary perception: the deluded fail to recognize Nara and Nārāyaṇa’s divine-seer nature. The verse stresses discernment (viveka) and warns that outward appearances can conceal extraordinary dharmic power.
Bhīṣma identifies Nara and Nārāyaṇa as the foremost ancient sages who will descend together into the human realm, declaring them invincible in battle—even against a coalition of gods—while noting that many remain ignorant of their real identity.