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Pancharatra: Being enquired by Krishna, Bhishma says his intellect has stabilized by the boon granted to him. Krishna requests him to teach eternal dharma, which is as authentic as the Vedas themselves.
Janamejaya said.
In the infallible Bhīṣma, whose soul is righteousness, of great courage, firm in truth, self-conquered, devoted to divine vows, greatly fortunate, and lying on the bed of arrows.
When Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu and Gaṅgā, the tiger among men, was lying on his bed of arrows, surrounded by the Pāṇḍavas.
O great sage, tell me what stories arose in that assembly of heroes when all the armies had been slain.
Vaiśampāyana said.
O king, as Bhīṣma, the foremost among the Kauravas, lay upon his bed of arrows, sages and perfected beings led by Nārada arrived.
The surviving kings, led by Yudhishthira, along with Dhritarashtra, Krishna, Bhima, Arjuna, and Yudhishthira, were present.
They approached the great-souled grandsire of the Bharatas and mourned Gāṅgeya, who had fallen like the sun.
After meditating for a moment, Nārada, the sage with divine vision, addressed all the Pāṇḍavas and the surviving kings.
O Bharata, I declare that the time has come; let Bhishma be urged, for the son of Ganga is going to his setting, like the sun.
All approached this one, who was desiring to give up his life, and asked him, for he indeed knows all the various duties of the fourfold order.
This old man once attained the worlds of those who have left their bodies. Quickly pursue him, dispelling any doubts that remain in your mind.
Thus addressed by Nārada, the kings went to Bhīṣma; wishing to ask him, but being unable, they glanced at each other.
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, said to Hṛṣīkeśa: "O son of Devakī, no one but you is capable of questioning the grandsire (Bhīṣma)."
Speak out, O unconquerable Madhusūdana, you go ahead. For you, dear one, are the foremost knower of all dharmas among us all.
Thus, when addressed in this way by the son of Pāṇḍu, the revered Keśava, Acyuta, approached the unassailable one and spoke.
Vāsudeva said.
O best of kings, did you spend the night comfortably? And has a clear understanding arisen in you?
O sinless one, do all forms of knowledge present themselves to you? Is your heart steady and your mind untroubled?
Bhīṣma said.
Burning, delusion, fatigue, exhaustion, weakness, and pain were all immediately dispelled by your grace, O Govinda, O sinless one.
O supremely radiant one, I see all that is past, future, and present as if it is placed in your hand like a fruit.
O Acyuta, by your boon, I now perceive all the righteous duties spoken in the Veda and those established in the Vedānta.
O Janardana, the dharma declared by the learned also dwells in my heart. I am one who knows the dharma of regions, castes, and families.
O Keśava, the meaning of the duties of the four āśramas is established in my heart, and I understand all the duties of a king.
O Janardana, wherever and whenever something is to be spoken, I shall say that. By your grace, indeed, an auspicious mind and intellect have entered me.
O Janardana, by your grace and through contemplation on you, I have become like a youth, strengthened and capable of speaking what is auspicious.
Why did you yourself not tell the Pāṇḍava what is better? What did you intend here? Please tell that quickly, O Mādhava.
Vāsudeva said.
O Kaurava, know me as the root of both fame and excellence; from me all entities, both existent and non-existent, have arisen.
When one says 'the cool-rayed moon', who in the world is surprised? Likewise, when I am full of fame, who would be amazed at me?
But your glory, O greatly radiant one, is to be established again by me. Therefore, my great intellect is now focused on you, O Bhīṣma.
O protector of the earth, as long as the earth endures, your imperishable fame will be celebrated throughout the worlds.
Whatever you, Bhīṣma, speak to Pāṇḍava who is inquiring, your words will endure on earth like the declarations of the Vedas.
Whoever restrains himself by himself according to this measure, he will experience, after death, the fruit of all merits.
O Bhīṣma, for this reason, I have granted you divine intellect. May your fame spread even more—thus it is.
It is certain that as long as a man's fame spreads in the world, his undiminished status endures.
O Bhārata, the kings who have survived after defeat are seated all around you, O king, desiring to understand righteous duties; declare (them) to them.
You are indeed aged by years, endowed with learning and good conduct, skilled in the royal duties of both former and later kings.
From your birth, no one ever saw any fault in you; all the kings recognized you as the knower of those who uphold dharma.
O king, speak to them the highest policy as a father would to his sons. For you have always worshipped both the sages and the gods.
Therefore, you must speak here; I see all the dharmas completely, for those eager to listen, asked again by the truthful one.
The learned say that it is the duty of the wise to speak; O lord, a severe fault indeed arises for one who does not reply.
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, you, being learned, please explain the eternal dharmas that have been asked by sons and grandsons who desire to know.
