Shloka 18

Kurukṣetra–Sarasvatī Tīrtha-Māhātmya

Pilgrimage Merits and Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

उपस्थितं महाभागं पूजयामास भारत । भीष्मो धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

Transliteration

upasthitaṁ mahābhāgaṁ pūjayāmāsa bhārata | bhīṣmo dharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā ||

Translation

Nārada nói: Hỡi hậu duệ Bharata, Bhīṣma—bậc đứng đầu trong những người gìn giữ dharma—đã kính tiếp vị khách cao quý vừa đến, cử hành mọi nghi thức đúng y như điều được quy định. Cảnh ấy nhấn mạnh rằng sự vĩ đại chân thật nằm ở lòng kính trọng có kỷ luật và sự tuân thủ nghi lễ đúng mực đối với bậc đáng tôn kính.

Word by Word

उपस्थितम्present; arrived; having come near

महाभागम्the very fortunate/noble one

पूजयामासhonoured; paid reverence to

भारतO Bharata

भीष्मःBhishma

धर्मभृताम्of the upholders of dharma

श्रेष्ठःthe best; foremost

विधिदृष्टेनprescribed by rule; as enjoined

कर्मणाby an act; by a rite/observance

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

Nārada

Bhīṣma

Bhārata (addressee/lineage)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma is expressed through disciplined conduct: honouring the worthy and performing one’s duties according to established norms (vidhi), not merely through intention but through correct, respectful action.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada narrates that Bhīṣma receives an illustrious person who has arrived and honours him with due ceremonial respect, following the prescribed rites—highlighting Bhīṣma’s exemplary adherence to dharma.