Shloka 22
श्रेयो-धर्मकर्मविचारः
Inquiry into Śreyas, Dharma, and Karma
तस्य तेजोमय: सूर्यो मनश्नन्द्रमसि स्थितम् । बुद्धिरज्ञनिगता नित्यं रसस्त्वप्सु प्रतिष्ठित:
tasya tejomayaḥ sūryo manaś candramasi sthitam | buddhir ajñānigatā nityaṃ rasas tv apsu pratiṣṭhitaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Sa Kanya, ang maningning na Araw ang pagpapakita ng Kanyang ningning; ang isip ay nananahan sa Buwan; ang talino (mahattattva) ay laging nakatatag bilang walang-humpay na paggalaw ng pag-alam; at ang lasa—ang katas—ay nakaugat sa mga tubig.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a cosmic-body mapping: natural luminaries and inner faculties (sun, moon, mind, intellect) and elemental bases (waters as the seat of taste/essence) are understood as expressions of the Supreme. This cultivates a dharmic worldview in which perception, cognition, and the elements are treated with reverence and disciplined use.
In Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma continues a theological-philosophical exposition describing the Supreme’s presence throughout the cosmos. He enumerates correspondences between cosmic entities and human faculties to teach Yudhishthira (and the listener) how to contemplate the Divine pervading all.