गोदावरी च वेण्या च कृष्णवेणा तथाद्रिजा । दृषद्वती च कावेरी चक्षुर्मन्दाकिनी तथा
godāvarī ca veṇyā ca kṛṣṇaveṇā tathādrijā | dṛṣadvatī ca kāverī cakṣur mandākinī tathā ||
گوداوری، وینیا، کرشن وینا، ادریجا، درشدوتی، کاویری، چکشو اور منداکنی—ان سب مقدّس ندیوں کا میں اسمِ مبارک یاد کرتا ہوں۔
भीष्म उवाच
The verse participates in a dharmic practice of sacred remembrance: naming revered rivers and tīrthas is presented as purifying and protective. Ethically, it reinforces humility, gratitude, and alignment with dharma through honoring what sustains life and spiritual merit.
Bhīṣma is reciting an extended catalogue of revered beings and holy places. This particular verse continues the enumeration by listing several sacred rivers, as part of a broader protective/purificatory invocation.