When Bhagavan Shri Krishna Offered Stuti to Bhishma Pitamah

Yudhishthira Ji asked Bhagavan Shri Krishna - O Purushottama (supreme among men)! Whom are You meditating upon? This is indeed a matter of great wonder. Is all well in these three worlds? The prana-vayu (vital air) residing in Your body has come to a standstill. Your hair stands on end. You do not move in the least. Madhava! You have become motionless like wood, a wall, and stone. Bhagavan! Like the flame of a lamp kept in a windless place, You too are still, as if You were a stone icon. Deva! Resolve this doubt of mine; for this, I seek refuge in You and pray again and again.

Hearing the prayer of Yudhishthira Ji, Bhagavan Shri Krishna smiled and spoke thus.

Shri Krishna said - "Rajan! Lying upon the bed of arrows, Bhishma Pitamah, that lion among men, who at this moment resembles a dying fire, is meditating upon Me; therefore, My mind is absorbed in him.

My mind is absorbed in contemplating that very Bhishma, the twang of whose bow, resembling the roar of thunder, even Devaraja Indra could not bear.

My mind has gone to that very Bhishma, who, having swiftly vanquished the assembly of all kings in the city of Kashi, carried off the three daughters of the King of Kashi.

Through My mind, I had reached that very Bhishma, who fought continuously for 23 days with Bhrigunandana Parashurama Ji, yet whom Parashurama Ji could not defeat.

That Bhishma Ji, concentrating all the faculties of his senses and restraining his mind through intellect, had taken refuge in Me; therefore My mind too became fixed upon him.

Dear one! O King! To that very Bhishma Ji—whom Ganga Devi duly bore in her womb and who received the instruction of the Vedas from Maharishi Vashistha—I had reached in My mind.

My mind was engaged in contemplating that exceedingly radiant and wise Bhishma, who possesses knowledge of divine weapons and the four Vedas along with their angas (subsidiary disciplines).

Son of Pandu! Within My mind, I was meditating upon that Bhishma Ji, who is the beloved disciple of Jamadagninandana Parashurama Ji and the repository of all knowledge.

O best of the Bharatas! He knows the matters of all three times—past, future, and present. I had begun meditating in My mind upon that Bhishma, the foremost among the knowers of dharma (righteousness).

Partha! When Bhishma Pitamah, that lion among men, departs to svargaloka (heavenly realm) according to his deeds, at that time this earth will become bereft of glory, like a night of amavasya (new moon).

Therefore, Maharaj Yudhishthira! Go to Ganganandana Bhishma of formidable prowess, bow at his feet, and ask him whatever doubts reside in your mind.

O Lord of the Earth! Inquire from him about the four knowledge-domains of dharma, artha (material prosperity), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation); about the yajna (sacrificial ritual) rites pertaining to the Hota, Udgata, Brahma, and Adhvaryu priests; about the duties of the four ashramas (stages of life); and about all of rajadharma (duties of a king).

When the sun in the form of Bhishma, who sustained the burden of the Kaurava dynasty, sets, at that time the light of all forms of knowledge will be destroyed; therefore I tell you to go there."

Hearing all these sublime and truthful words, Yudhishthira Ji began to shed tears!

- Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Rajadharmanushasana Parva, Chapter 46

◆ Bhagavan proved His solemn vow that,

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम्। (4.11)
"In whatever way men surrender unto Me, even so do I reward them..."

◆ May Bhagavan Shri Krishna grant Hindus strength like Bhishma Pitamah, so that they may say,

They are the grandsons of Bhishma Pitamah Who reposes on a bed of arrows

At the holy feet of such a Mahabhagavata (exalted devotee), Bhishma—the grandsire of the entire Bharata dynasty—every grandson bows his head....❤️

Read also,

Historicity and Authenticity of Shrimad Bhagavata and Other Puranas

The Interdependent Relationship Between Brahmin and Kshatriya