जनमेजय उवाच शरतल्पे शयानस्तु भरतानां पितामहः। कथमुत्सृष्टवान् देहं कं च योगमधारयत्॥
How did the grandfather of Bharatas, who lay on a bed of arrows, cast off his body and what sort of Yoga did he adopt?
वैशम्पायन उवाच शृणुष्वावहितो राजशुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः। भीष्मस्य कुरुशार्दूल देहोत्सर्ग महात्मनः॥
Listen, O king, with pure heart and rapt attention, as to how, O foremost of the Kurus, the great Bhishma renounced his body.
निवृत्तमात्रे त्वयन उत्तरे वै दिवाकरे। समावेशयदात्मानमात्मन्येव समाहितः॥
As soon as the Sun, passing the solstitial point entered in his northerly course, Bhishma with rapt attention, caused his soul (as connected with and independent of the body) to enter into the Universal Soul.
विकीर्णारिवादित्यो भीष्मः शरशतैश्चितः। शुशुभे परया लक्ष्या वृतो ब्राह्मणसत्तमैः॥
Surrounded by many foremost of Brahmanas, that hero, his body cut with innumerable arrows, shone like the sun with his innumerable rays.
व्यासेन वेदविदुषा नारदेन सुरर्षिणा। देवस्थानेन वात्स्येन तथाश्मकसुमन्तुना॥ तथा जैमिनिना चैव पैलेन च महात्मना। शाण्डिल्यदेवलाभ्यां च मैत्रेयेण च धीमता॥ असितेन वसिष्ठेन कौशिकेन महात्मना। हारीतलोमशाभ्यां च तथाऽऽत्रेयेण धीमता॥ बृहस्पतिश्च शुक्रश्च च्यवनश्च महामुनिः। सनत्कुमारः कपिलो वाल्मीकिस्तुम्बुरुः कुरुः॥ मौद्गल्यो भार्गवो रामस्तृणबिन्दुमहामुनिः। पिप्पलादोऽथ वायुश्च संवर्तः पुलहः कचः॥ काश्यपश्च पुलस्त्यश्च ऋतुर्दक्षः पराशरः। मरीचिरङ्गिराः काश्यो गौतमो गालवो मुनिः॥ धौम्यो विभाण्डो माण्डव्यो धौनः कृष्णानुभौतिकः। उलूकः परमो विप्रो मार्कण्डेयो महामुनिः॥ भास्करिः पूरणः कृष्णः सूतः परमधार्मिकः। एतैश्चान्यैर्मुनिगणैर्महाभागैर्महात्मभिः॥ श्रद्धादमशमोपेतैर्वृतश्चन्द्र इव ग्रहैः।
Surrounded by Vyasa conversant with the Vedas, by the celestial Rishi Narada, by Devasthana, by Ashmakasumantu, by Jaimini, by the great Paila, by Shandilya, by Devarata, by the highly intelligent Maitreya, by Asita and Vasishtha and the great Kaushika, by Harita and Lomasa and the highly intelligent Atri's son, by Brihaspati and Shukra and the great sage Chyavana, by Sanatkumara and Kapila and Valmiki and Tumvuru and Kuru, By Maudgalya and Rama of Bhrigu's race, and the great sage Trinavindu, by Pippalada and Vayu and Samvarta and Pulaha and Kacha, by Kashyapa and Pulastya and Kratu and Daksha and Parashara, by Marichi and Angiras and Kashyapa and Gautama and the sage Galava, by Dhaumya and Vibhanda and Mandavya and Dhaumra and Krishnanubhautika, by Uluka, that foremost of Brahmanas and the great sage Markandeya, by Bhaskari and Purana and Krishna and Suta, —that foremost of pious men, surrounded by these and many other saintly sages of great souls and endued with faith and self-control and equanimity of mind, the Kuru hero looked like the Moon surrounded by the planets and the stars.
भीष्मस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रः कर्मणा मनसा गिरा॥ शरतल्पगतः कृष्णं प्रदध्यौ प्राञ्जलिः शुचिः।
Lying on his bed of arrows, that foremost of men, Bhishma, with pure hearts and joined hands, thought of Krishna in mind, word, and deed.
स्वरेण हृष्टपुष्टेन तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम्॥ योगेश्वरं पद्मनाभं विष्णुं जिष्णुं जगत्पतिम्।
With a cheerful and strong voice he sang the encomium of the destroyer of Madhu, that lord of Yoga, the lotus-navelled deity, that lord of the universe, called Vishnu and Jishnu.
कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा वाग्विदां प्रवरः प्रभुः॥ भीष्मः परमधर्मात्मा वासुदेवमथास्तुवत्।
With joined hands, that foremost of orators, that powerful Bhishma of highly virtuous soul, thus praised Vasudeva.
भीष्म उवाच आरिराधयिषुः कृष्णं वाचं जिगदिधामि याम्॥ तया व्याससमासिन्या प्रीयतां पुरुषोत्तमः।
Bhishma said "O Krishna, O foremost of Beings, be pleased with words with I utter, in brief and in full, from desire of singing your praises.
शुचिं शुचिपदं हंसं तत्पदं परमेष्ठिनम्॥ युक्त्वा सर्वात्मनाऽऽत्मानं तं प्रपद्ये प्रजापतिम्।
You are pure and purity. You transcend all. You are what people say to be THAT. You are the Supreme Lord. With my entire heart I seek your refuge, O universal Soul and Lord of all creatures!
अनाद्यन्तं परं ब्रह्म न देवा नर्षयो विदुः॥ एको यं वेद भगवान् धाता नारायणो हरिः।
You are without beginning and without end. You are the greatest of the great and Brahma. Neither the celestials nor the Rishis know you. The divine Creator, Narayana or Hari, alone knows you.
नारायणादृषिगणास्तथा सिद्धमहोरगाः॥ देवा देवर्षयश्चैव यं विदुः परमव्ययम्।
Through Narayana, the Rishis, the Siddhas, the great Nagas, the gods, and the celestial Rishis, know a little of you. You are the greatest of the great and undecaying.
देवदानवगन्धर्वा यक्षराक्षसपन्नगाः॥ यं न जानन्ति को ह्येष कुतो वा भगवानिति।
The celestials, the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Pannagas, do not know who you are and whence you have sprung.
यस्मिन् विश्वानि भूतानि तिष्ठन्ति च विशन्ति च॥ गुणभूतानि भूतेशे सूत्रे मणिगणा इव।
All the worlds and all created things live in you and enter you at the time of dissolution. Like gems strung together in a thread, all things possessing attributes exist in you, the Supreme Lord.
यस्मिन् नित्ये तते तन्तौ दृढे स्रगिव तिष्ठति॥ सदसद्ग्रथितं विश्वं विश्वाङ्गे विश्वकर्मणि।
Having the universe for your work and the universe for your limbs, this universe consisting of mind and matter exists in your eternal and all-pervading soul like flowers strung together in a strong thread.
हरिं सहस्रशिरसं सहस्रचरणेक्षणम्॥ सहस्रबाहुमुकुटं सहस्रवदनोज्ज्वलम्।
You are called Hari, have a thousand heads, thousand feet, thousand eyes, thousand arms, thousand crowns, and thousand effulgent faces. You are called Narayana, the deity, and the refuge of the universe.
प्राहुर्नारायणं देवं यं विश्वस्य परायणम्॥ अणीयसामणीयांसं स्थविष्ठं च स्थवीयसाम्।
You are the subtilest of the subtile, grossest of the gross, the heaviest of the heavy, and the highest of the high.
गरीयसां गरिष्ठं च श्रेष्ठं च श्रेयसामपि॥ यं वाकेष्वनुवाकेषु निषत्सूपनिषत्सु च।
In the Vaks, the Anuvaks, the Nishads, and the Upanishads, you are regarded as the Supreme Being of irresistible power. In the Samans also, which are always true, you are known as Truth's self.
गृणन्ति सत्यकर्माणं सत्यं सत्येषु सामसु॥ चतुर्भिश्चतुरात्मानं सत्त्वस्थं सात्वतां पतिम्।
You are of quadruple soul, Supreme soul, individual soul, mind and consciousness. You manifest yourself only in the understanding of all creatures. You are the Lord of your votaries. O god, you are worshipped under four good, high, and secret names, Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.
यं दिव्यैर्देवमर्चन्ति गुरैः परमनामभिः॥ यस्मिन् नित्यं तपस्तप्तं यदङ्गेष्वनुतिष्ठति।
Penances are always present in you, penances, live in your form. You are the Universal Soul. You are omniscient. You are the universe. You are the creator of everything in the universe.
सर्वात्मा सर्ववित् सर्वः सर्वज्ञः सर्वभावनः॥ यं देवं देवकी देवी वसुदेवादजीजनत्।
Like two sticks creating a blazing fire, you have been born of the divine Devaki and Vasudeva for the protection of Brahma on Earth.
भौमस्य ब्रह्मणो गुप्त्यै दीप्तमग्निमिवारणिः॥ यमनन्यो व्यपेताशीरात्मानं वीतकल्मषम्।
For his eternal liberation, the devout worshipper, withdrawing his mind from everything else and renouncing all desires, beholds you, O Govinda, who are the pure Soul, in his own soul.
दृष्ट्यानन्त्याय गोविन्दं पश्यत्यात्मानमात्मनि॥ अतिवाविन्द्रकर्माणमतिसूर्यातितेजसम्।
You excel the sun in glory. You are beyond the perception of the senses and the understanding. O lord of all creatures, I place myself in your hands.
अतिबुद्धीन्द्रियात्मानं तं प्रपद्ये प्रजापतिम्॥ पुराणे पुरुषं प्रोक्तं ब्रह्म प्रोक्तं युगादिषु। क्षये संकर्षणं प्रोक्तं तमुपास्यमुपास्महे॥
In the Puranas, you have been described as Purusha. In the beginning of cycles, you are said to be Brahma, and at the time of universal dissolution you are spoken of as Sankarshana. You are worshipful therefore I worship you. are
यमेकं बहुधाऽऽत्मानं प्रादुर्भूतमधोक्षजम्। नान्यभक्ताः क्रियावन्तो यजन्ते सर्वकामदम्॥
Though one, you have yet many forms. You have your passions under complete control. Faithfully performing the rites laid down in the scriptures, your votaries sacrifice to you, O giver of every wish.
यमाहुर्जगतः कोशं यस्मिन् संनिहिताः प्रजाः। यस्मिल्लोकाः स्फुरन्तीमे जले शकुनयो यथा॥
You are designated the sac within which the universe lies. All created things reside in you. Like swans and ducks swimming on the water, all the worlds are seen floating in you.
ऋतमेकाक्षरं ब्रह्म यत् तत् सदसतोः परम्। अनादिमध्यपर्यन्तं न देवा नर्षयो विदुः॥
You are Truth. Truth. You One and Undecaying. You are Brahma. You are beyond mind and matter. You are without beginning, middle, and end. Neither the gods nor the Rishis know you.
यं सुरासुरगन्धर्वाः सिद्धा ऋषिमहोरगाः। प्रयता नित्यमर्चन्ति परमं दुःखभेषजम्॥
The gods, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, the Rishis, and the great Uragas, with concentrated minds, always worship you. You are the great panacea for all sorrow.
अनादिनिधनं देवमात्मयोनि सनातनम्। अप्रेक्ष्यमनभिज्ञेयं हरि नारायणं प्रभुम्॥
You are without birth and death. You are Divine. You are self-born. You are eternal. You are invisible and beyond perception. You are called Hari and Narayana, O powerful one.
यं वै विश्वस्य कर्तारं जगतस्तस्थुषां पतिम्। वदन्ति जगतोऽध्यक्षमक्षरं परमं पदम्॥
The Vedas describe you as the Creator of the universe and the Lord of everything existing in the universe. You are the Supreme Protector of the universe. You are Undecaying and that which is called the Highest.
हिरण्यवर्णं यं गर्भमदितेर्दैत्यनाशनम्। एकं द्वादशधा जज्ञे तस्मै सूर्यात्मने नमः॥
You are gold-hued. You are the killer of Asuras. Though One, Aditi gave birth to you in twelve forms. Salutations to you who are the Soul of the Sun.
शुक्ले देवान् पितृन् कृष्णे तर्पयत्यमृतेन यः यश्च राजा द्विजातीनां तस्मै सोमात्मने नमः॥
Salutations to you in your form of Soma who is the highest of Rishis and who gratified with nectar the gods in the light fortnight and the Pitris in the dark fortnight.
महतस्तमसः पारे पुरुषं ह्यतितेजसम्। यं ज्ञात्वा मृत्युमत्येति तस्मै ज्ञेयात्मने नमः॥
You are the One Being of transcendent effulgence dwelling beyond darkness Knowing you one has no fear of death. Salutations of you in that form which is an object of knowledge.
यं वृहन्तं बृहत्युक्थे यमग्नौ यं महाध्वरे। यं विप्रसंघा गायन्ति तस्मै वेदात्मने नमः॥
In the grand Ukthya sacrifice, the Brahmanas worship you as the great Rich. In the great fire-sacrifice, they describe you as the chief (priest). You are the soul of the Vedas. Salutations to you.
ऋग्यजुःसामधामानं दशाहविरात्मकम्। यं सप्ततन्तुं तन्वन्ति तस्मै यज्ञात्मने नमः॥
The Rishis, the Yajus, and the Samans are your habitation. You are the five sorts of pure libations. You are the five sorts of pure libations. You are the seven words used in the Vedas. Salutations to you in your form of Sacrifice.
चतुर्भिश्च चतुर्भिश्च द्वाभ्यां पञ्चभिरेव च। हूयते च पुनर्वाभ्यां तस्मै होमात्मने नमः॥
Libations are poured on the Homa fire accompanied with seventeen Mantras. You are the soul of the Homa. Salutations to you.
यः सुपर्णा यजुर्नाम च्छन्दोगात्रस्त्रिवृच्छिराः। रथन्तरं वृहत् साम तस्मै स्तोत्रात्मने नमः॥
You are the Purusha described in the Vedas. Your name is Yajus. The Vedic metres are your limbs. The sacrifices laid down in the three Vedas forın your three heads. The great sacrifices called Rathantara is your voice expressing your gratification. Salutations to you in your form of sacred hymns.
यः सहस्रसमे सत्रे जज्ञे विश्वसृजामृषिः। हिरण्यपक्षः शकुनिस्तस्मै हंसात्मने नमः॥
You are the Rishi who had appeared in the great sacrifice extending for a thousand years celebrated by the Patriarchs. You are the great swan with wings of gold. Salutations to you in your form of a swan.
पादाङ्गं संधिपर्वाणं स्वरव्यञ्जनभूषणम्। यमाहुरक्षरं दिव्यं तस्मै वागात्मने नमः॥
Roots with all kinds of affixes and suffixes form your limbs. The Sandhis are your joints. The consonants and vowels are your ornaments. The Vedas have described you as the divine word. Salutations to you in your form as the Word.
यज्ञाङ्गो यो वराहो वै भूत्वा गामुज्जहार हा लोकत्रयहितार्थाय तस्मै वीर्यात्मने नमः॥
Assuming the form of a boar whose limbs were Sacrifice, you had raised the submerged Earth for the behoof of the three worlds. Salutations to you in your form of infinite power.
यः शेते योगमास्थाय पर्यङ्के नागभूषिते। फणासहस्ररचिते तस्मै निद्रात्मने नमः॥
You sleep in Yoga on your snake sofa formed by the thousand hoods (of the Naga). Salutations to you in your forms of sleep.
यस्तनोति सतां सेतुमृतेनामृतयोनिना। धर्मार्थव्यवहाराङ्गैस्तस्मै सत्यात्मने नमः॥
You make the bridge for crossing the sea of life with Truth, with the means of emancipation, and with the means by which the senses may be controlled. Salutations to thee in your form of Truth.
यं पृथग्धर्मचरणाः पृथग्धर्मफलैषिणः। पृथग्धः समर्चन्ति तस्मै धर्मात्मने नमः॥
Men following various religions moved by desire of various fruits, worship you with various rites. Salutations to you in your form of religion.
यतः सर्वं प्रसूयन्ते ह्यनङ्गात्माङ्गदेहिनः। उन्मादः सर्वभूतानां तस्मै कामात्मने नमः॥
From you have originated all things. You move all creatures having physical frames and cherishing desires to action. Salutations to thee in your form of Excitement.
यं च व्यक्तस्थमव्यक्तं विचिन्वन्ति महर्षयः। क्षेत्रे क्षेत्रज्ञमासीनं तस्मै क्षेत्रात्मने नमः॥
The great Rishis seek your unmanifest self within the manifest. Called Kshetrajna, you sit in Kshetra. Salutations to you in your form of Kshetra.
यं त्रिधाऽऽत्मानमात्मस्थं वृतं षोडशभिर्गुणैः। प्राहुः सप्तदशं सांख्या स्तस्मै सांख्यात्मने नमः॥
Though always conscious and present in self, the Sankhyas still describe you as existing in the three states of wakefulness, dream and sleep. They further describe you as possessed of sixteen attributes and representing the number seventeen. Salutations to your form as described by the Sankhyas.
यं विनिद्रा जितश्वासाः सत्त्वस्थाः संयतेन्द्रियाः। ज्योतिः पश्यन्ति युञ्जानास्तस्मै योगात्मने नमः॥
Casting off sleep, restraining vital airs, Yogins of controlled senses see you as eternal light. Salutations to you in your Yoga form.
अपुण्यपुण्योपरमे यं पुनर्भवनिर्भयाः। शान्ताः संन्यासिनो यान्ति तस्मै मोक्षात्मने नमः॥
Peaceful Sannyasins, freed from fear of rebirth on account of the extinction of all their sins and merits, obtain you. Salutations to you in your form of emancipation.
योऽसौ युगसहस्रान्ते प्रदीप्तार्चिविभावसुः। सम्भक्षयति भूतानि तस्मै घोरात्मने नमः॥
At the end of a thousand cycles, you assume the form of a fire with blazing flames and consume all creatures. Salutations to you in your form of fierceness.
सम्भक्ष्य सर्वभूतानि कृत्वा चैकार्णवं जगत्। बालः स्वपिति यश्चैकस्तस्मै मायात्मने नमः॥
Having consumed all creatures and converted the universe into one sheet of water, you sleep on the waters in the form of a child. Salutations to you in your form as Maya (illusion).
तद् यस्य नाभ्यां सम्भूतं यस्मिन् विश्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। पुष्करे पुष्कराक्षस्य तस्मै पद्मात्मने नमः॥
From the navel of the Self-born having eyes like lotus leaves, sprung a lotus. On that lotus is situate this universe. Salutations to you in your form as lotus.
सहस्रशिरसे चैव पुरुषायामितात्मने। चतुःसमुद्रपर्याययोगनिद्रात्मने नमः॥
You have a thousand heads. You permeate everything. You are of immeasurable soul. You have conquered the four kinds of desire that are as vast as the four seas. Salutations to you in your form of Yoga sleep.
यस्य केशेषु जीमूता नद्यः सर्वाङ्गसंधिषु। कुक्षौ समुद्राश्चत्वारस्तस्मै तोयात्मने नमः॥
The clouds are in the hair of your head. The rivers are in the several joints of your limbs. The four oceans are in your stomach. Salutations to you in your form as water.
यस्मात् सर्वाः प्रसूयन्ते सर्गप्रलयविक्रियाः। यस्मिंश्चैव प्रलीयन्ते तस्मै हेत्वात्मने नमः॥
Birth and death originate from you. All things, again, at the universal dissolution, are dissolved in you. Salutations to your form as cause.
निषण्णो भवेद् रात्रौ दिवा भवति विष्ठितः। इष्टानिष्टस्य च द्रष्टा तस्मै द्रष्ट्रात्मने नमः॥
You sleep not in the night. You are engaged in day time also. You witness the good and the bad actions (of all), Salutations to you in your form of (universal) observer.
अकुण्ठं सर्वकार्येषु धर्मकार्यार्थमुद्यतम्। वैकुण्ठस्य च तद् रूपं तस्मै कार्यात्मने नमः॥
There is no act which you cannot do. You are again, always ready to do righteous acts. Salutations to you in your form of Work, the form, viz., which is called Vaikuntha.
त्रि:सप्तकृत्वो यः क्षत्रं धर्मव्युत्क्रान्तगौरवम्। क्रुद्धो निजघ्ने समरे तस्मै क्रौर्यात्मने नमः॥
In anger you had in battle, rooted out twenty-one times the Kshatriyas who had trodden virtue and authority under their feet, Salutations to you in your form of Cruelty.
विभज्य पञ्चधाऽऽत्मानं वायुर्भूत्वा शरीरगः। यश्चेष्टयति भूतानि तस्मै वाय्वात्मने नमः॥
Dividing yourself into five parts you have become the five vital airs which work within every body and cause every living creature to inove. Salutations to you in your form of air.
युगेष्वावर्तते योगैर्मासर्वयनहायनैः। सर्गप्रलययोः कर्ता तस्मै कालात्मने नमः॥
You appear in very cycle in the forms called month and season and half-year and year, and are the cause of both creation and dissolution. Salutations to you in your form of Time.
ब्रह्म वक्त्रं भुजौ क्षत्रं कृत्स्नमूरूदरं विशः। पादौ यस्याश्रिताः शूद्रास्तस्मै वर्णात्मने नमः॥
Brahmanas are your mouth, Kshatriyas are your two arms., Vaishyas are your stomach and thighs, and Shudras are your feet. Salutations to you in your form of caste.
यस्याग्निरास्यं द्यौर्मूर्धा खं नाभिश्चरणौ क्षितिः। सूर्यश्चक्षुर्दिशः श्रोत्रे तस्मै लोकात्मने नमः॥
Fire is your mouth. The heavens are the crown of your head. The sky in your navel. The Earth is your feet. The Sun is your eye. The points of horizon are your ears. Salutations to you in your form as the three worlds.
परः कालात् परो यज्ञात् परात् परतरश्च यः। अनादिरादिविश्वस्य तस्मै विश्वात्मने नमः॥
You are superior to Time. You are superior to Sacrifice. You are higher than the highest. Having yourself no origin, you are the origin of the Universe. Salutations to you in your form as Universe.
विषये वर्तमानानां यं ते वैशेषिकैर्गुणैः। प्राहुर्विषयगोप्तारं तस्मै गोप्वात्मने नमः॥
People according to the attributes assigned to you by the Vaisheshika theory, consider you as the Protector of the world. Salutations to you in your form of Protector.
अन्नपानेन्धनमयो रसप्राणविवर्धनः। यो धारयति भूतानि तस्मै प्राणात्मने नमः॥
Assuming the forms of food, drink, and fuel, you multiply the humours and the vital airs of creatures and keep up their existence. Salutations to you in your form of life.
प्राणानां धारणार्थाय योऽनं भुक्के चतुर्विधम्। अन्तर्भूतः पचत्यग्निस्तस्मै पाकात्मने नमः॥
For supporting the life you eat the four kinds of food. Assuming also the form of Agni within the Stomach, you digest that food. Salutations to you in you form of digesting fire.
पिङ्गेक्षणसटं यस्य रूपं दंष्ट्रनखायुधम्। दानवेन्द्रान्तकरणं तस्मै दृप्तात्मने नमः॥
Assuming the form of man-lion with twany eyes and twany manes with teeth and claws for your weapons, you had killed the king of the Asuras. Salutations to your form of great subtility.
यं न देवा न गन्धर्वा न दैत्या न च दानवाः। तत्त्वतो हि विजानन्ति तस्मै सूक्ष्मात्मने नमः॥
The gods, the Gandharvas, Daityas and Danavas are not able understand that form corectly, I salute that form of subtile.
रसातलगतः श्रीमाननन्तो भगवान् विभुः। जगद् धारयते कृत्स्नं तस्मै वीर्यात्मने नमः।७६॥
Assuming the form of the beautiful, illustrious, and powerful Ananta in the neither region, you uphold the universe. Salutations to your form of power.
यो मोहयति भूतानि स्नेहपाशानुबन्धनैः। सर्गस्य रक्षणार्थाय तस्मै मोहात्मने नमः॥
You stupefy all creatures by the letters of affection and love for the continuance of the creation. Salutations to you in your form of stupefaction.
आत्मज्ञानमिदं ज्ञानं ज्ञात्वा पञ्चस्ववस्थितम्। यं ज्ञानेनाभिगच्छन्ति तस्मै ज्ञानात्मने नमः॥
Knowing that knowledge which knows the five elements to be the true Self-knowledge people approach you by knowledge. Salutations to you in your form of Knowledge.
अप्रमेयशरीराय सर्वतोबुद्धिचक्षुषे। अनन्तपरिमेयाय तस्मै दिव्यात्मने नमः॥
Your body cannot be measured. Your understanding and eyes see every thing. You are infinite and immeasurable. Salutations to you in your form of vastness.
जटिने दण्डिने नित्यं लम्बोदरशरीरिणे। कमण्डलुनिषङ्गाय तस्मै ब्रह्मात्मने नमः॥
You had assumed the form of a hermit with matted locks on head, staff in hand, a long stomach, and having alms bowl for your quiver. Salutations to your form of Brahma.
शूलिने त्रिदशेशाय त्र्यम्बकाय महात्मने। भस्मदिग्धाङ्गलिङ्गाय तस्मै रुद्रात्मने नमः॥
You carry the trident, you are the lord of the celestials, you have three eyes, and you are great. Your body is always besmeared with ashes. Salutations to you in your form of Rudra.
चन्द्रार्धकृतशीर्षाय व्यालयज्ञोपवीतिने। पिनाकशूलहस्ताय तस्मा उग्रात्मने नमः॥
The crescent forms the ornament of your forehead. You have snakes for the holy thread round your neck. You are armed with Pinaka and trident. Salutations to your form of dreadfulness.
सर्वभूतात्मभूताय भूतादिनिधनाय च। अक्रोधद्रोहमोहाय तस्मै शान्तात्मने नमः॥
You are the soul of all creatures. You are the Creator and the Destroyer of all creatures. You are without anger, without enmity, without affection. Salutations to you in your form of Peace.
यस्मिन् सर्वं यतः सर्वं यः सर्वं सर्वतश्च यः। यश्च सर्वमयो नित्यं तस्मै सर्वात्मने नमः॥
Everything is in you. Everything originates from you. You are Everything. Everywhere are you. You are always the All. Salutations to you in your form as Everything.
विश्वकर्मन् नमस्तेऽस्तु विश्वात्मन् विश्वसम्भव। अपवर्गोऽसि भूतानां पञ्चानां परतः स्थितः॥
Salutations to you whose work is the universe, to you who are the soul of the universe, to you from whom has originated the universe, to you who are the dissolution of all things, to you who are beyond the five elements.
नमस्ते त्रिषु लोकेषु नमस्ते परतस्त्रिषु। नमस्ते दिक्षु सर्वासु त्वं हि सर्वमयो निधिः॥
Salutations to you who are the three worlds to you who are above the three worlds! Salutations to you who are all the directions. You are all you are the one refuge of All.
नमस्ते भगवन् विष्णो लोकानां प्रभवाप्यया त्वं हि कर्ता हृषीकेश संहर्ता चापराजितः॥
Salutations to you. O divine Lord, O Vishnu, and, O eternal origin of all the worlds. You, O Hrishikesha, are the Creator, you are the Destroyer, and you are invincible.
न हि पश्यामि ते भावं दिव्यं हि त्रिषु वर्त्मसु। त्वां तु पश्यामि तत्त्वेन यत् ते रूपं सनातनम्॥
I cannot see that divine form in which you are manifest in the Past, Present, and Future. I can, however, see truly your eternal form.
दिवं ते शिरसा व्याप्तं पद्भ्यां देवी वसुन्धरा। विक्रमेण त्रयो लोकाः पुरुषोऽसि सनातनः॥
You have filled heaven with your head, and Earth with your, and feet the three worlds with your energy. You are Eternal. and permeate everything in the universe.
दिशो भुजा रविश्चक्षुर्वीर्ये शुक्रः प्रतिष्ठितः। सप्त मार्गा निरुद्धास्ते वायोरमिततेजसः॥
The directions are your arms, the Sun is your eye, and prowess is your arms, the Sun is your eye, and prowess is your vital fluid. You are the lord of all creatures. You stand closing the seven paths of the Wind whose power is immeasurable.
अतसीपुष्पसंकाशं पीतवाससमच्युतम्। ये नमस्यन्ति गोविन्दं न तेषां विद्यते भयम्॥
Those who worship you, are freed from all fears, O Govinda of undecaying prowess, you are clad in yellow robes of the colour of the Atasi flower.
एकोऽपि कृष्णस्य कृतः प्रणामो दशाश्वमेधावभृथेन तुल्यः। कृष्णप्रणामी न पुनर्भवाय॥
The lowering of head to you for once. O Krishna, is equal to the completion of ten Horse-sacrifices. The man who has celebrated ten Horse-sacrifices is not freed from the obligation of re-birth.
कृष्णव्रताः कृष्णमनुस्मरन्तो रात्रौ च कृष्णं पुनरुत्थिता ये। माज्यं यथा मन्त्रहुतं हुताशे॥
The man, however, that salutes Krishna is freed from re-birth. They who have Krishna for their vow, they who think of Krishna in the night, and upon getting up from sleep, may be said to have Krishna for their body. Those people (after death) enter Krishna's self even as libations of clarified butter sanctified with mantras enter the burning fire.
नमो नरकसंत्रासरक्षामण्डलकारिणे। संसारनिम्नगावर्ततरिकाष्ठाय विष्णवे॥
Salutations to you who remove the fear of hell, to you. O Vishnu, that are a boat to them who are sunk in the eddies of the ocean of worldly life.
नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय गोब्राह्मणहिताय च। जगद्धिताय कृष्णाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः॥
Salutations to you, O God, that are the Brahmana's self, to you who are the benefactor of Brahmanas and kine, to you that are the benefactor of the universe, to you that are Krishna and Govinda.
प्राणकान्तारपाथेयं संसारोच्छेदभेषजम्। दुःखशोकपरित्राणं हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम्॥
The two syllables Hari are the purse of those who sojourn through the wilderness of life and the panacea that effectually cures all worldly attachments, and the Manas which remove sorrow and grief.
यथा विष्णुमयं सत्यं यथा विष्णुमयं जगत्। यथा विष्णुमयं सर्वं पाप्मा मे नश्यतां तथा॥
As Truth is full of Vishnu, as the universe is full of Vishnu, as everything full of Vishnu, so let my soul be full of Vishnu, and my sins be dissipated.
त्वां प्रपन्नाय भक्ताय गतिमिशं जिगीषवे। यच्छ्रेयः पुण्डरीकाक्ष तद् ध्यायस्व सुरोत्तम॥
I seek your refuge and am devoted to you, desirous of obtaining a happy end. O you having eyes like lotus petals, O best of gods, do you think of what will be for my well-being.
इति विद्यातपोयोनिरयोनिर्विष्णुरीडितः। वाग्यज्ञेनार्चितो देवः प्रीयतां मे जनार्दनः॥
Having yourself no origin, O Vishnu, you are the origin of Knowledge and Penances. You are thus lauded, O Janardana, thus adored by me in the Sacrifice of words only, be O god, gratified with me.
नारायणः परं ब्रह्म नारायणपरं तपः। नारायणः परो देवः सर्वं नारायणः सदा।।१००।
The Vedas are devoted to Narayana. Penances are devoted to Narayana. The gods are devoted to Narayana. Everything else is Narayana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं भीष्मस्तद्गतमानसः। नम इत्येव कृष्णाय प्रणाममकरोत् तदा॥
Vaishampayana said Having said these words, Bhishma, with mind fixed upon Krishna, said,-'Salutations to Krishna.' And bowed to him.
अभिगम्य तु योगेन भक्ति भीष्मस्य माधवः। त्रैलोक्यदर्शनं ज्ञानं दिव्यं दत्त्वा ययौ हरिः॥
Learning by his Yoga power of the devotion of Bhishma, Madhava, called also Hari, (entering his body) conferred upon him divine knowledge of the Past, the Present, and the Future, and went away.
तस्मिन्नुपरते शब्दे ततस्ते ब्रह्मवादिनः। भीष्मं वाग्भिर्बाष्पकण्ठास्तमानचुमहामतिम्॥
When Bhishma became silent, the Brahmavadins, with voices suppressed with tears, worshipped that great chief of the Kurus in excellent words.
ते स्तुवन्तश्च विप्रागया: केशवं पुरुषोत्तमम्। भीष्मं च शनकैः सर्वे प्रशशंसुः पुनः पुनः॥
Those foremost of Brahmanas lauded Krishna also, that first of Beings and then continued silently to praise Bhishma repeatedly.
विदित्वा भक्तियोगं तु भीष्मस्य पुरुषोत्त्मः। सहसोत्थाय संहृष्टो यानमेवान्वपद्यत॥ केशवः सात्यकिश्चापि रथेनैकेन जग्मतुः। अपरेण महात्मानौ युधिष्ठिरधंजयौ॥
Learning of the devotion of Bhishma towards him, that foremost of Beings, viz., Madhava, suddenly rose from his seat and got on his car, Keshava and Satyaki proceeded on one car. On another proceeded those two great princess, viz., Yudhishthira and Dhananjaya.
भीमसेन यमौ चोभौ रथमेकं समाश्रिताः। कृपो युयुत्सुः सूतश्च संजयश्च परंतपः॥ ते स्थैर्नगराकारैः प्रयाताः पुरुषर्षभाः। नेमिघोषेण महता कम्पयन्तो वसुन्धराम्॥
Bhimasena and the twin rode on a third; while those foremost of men, viz., Kripa and Yuyutsu, and that scorcher of foes, viz., Sanjaya of the charioteer caste, proceeded on their respective cars, each of which looked like a town. And all of then went on, inaking the Earth trembled with the rattle of their carwheels.
ततो गिरः पुरुषवरस्तवान्विता द्विजेरिता: पथि सुमनाः स शुश्रुवे। कृताञ्जलिं प्रणतमथापरं जनं स केशिहा मुदितमनाभ्यनन्दत॥
That foremost of men, as he went on, cheerfully listened to the laudatory, speeches uttered by the Brahmanas. The destroyer of Keshi, with a cheerful heart, saluted the people waiting by the road side with joined hands and bent heads.