Shloka 11
Kṛṣṇa’s Dhyāna and the Prompt to Question Bhīṣma (कृष्णध्यानं भीष्मप्रश्नप्रेरणा च)
महाभारत &» ध्यानमग्न श्रीकृष्णसे युधिष्ठिर प्रश्न कर रहे हैं वासुदेव उवाच शरतल्पगतो भीष्म: शाम्यन्निव हुताशन: । मां ध्याति पुरुषव्याप्रस्ततो मे तद्गतं मन:
vāsudeva uvāca | śaratpalgato bhīṣmaḥ śāmyann iva hutāśanaḥ | māṃ dhyāti puruṣavyāghras tato me tadgataṃ manaḥ ||
婆苏提婆说道：“大王啊，毗湿摩——人中之虎——卧于箭床之上，如今宛若将熄之火，正观想于我。因此，我的心也系念于他。”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights reciprocal devotion and moral attention: Bhīṣma, even in extreme suffering, steadies his mind in contemplation of Vāsudeva; in response, Vāsudeva’s own mind turns toward Bhīṣma. Ethically, it underscores steadfastness at life’s end and the honoring of a righteous elder whose inner focus remains aligned with dharma.
During the Śānti Parva setting after the war, Yudhiṣṭhira seeks guidance while Bhīṣma lies on the arrow-couch. Vāsudeva explains that Bhīṣma is presently meditating on him, and thus Vāsudeva’s attention is also absorbed in Bhīṣma—framing Bhīṣma’s condition and spiritual focus as the backdrop for ensuing instruction.