Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.22.18-19
Visarga· Brahmā's creationBhīṣma: A Self-Realized Devotee and Scholar
“After the dynasty of the moon-god comes to an end in this Age of Kali, Devāpi, in the beginning of the next Satya-yuga, will reestablish the Soma dynasty in this world. From Bāhlīka [the brother of Śāntanu] came a son named Somadatta, who had three sons, named Bhūri, Bhūriśravā and Śala. From Śāntanu, through the womb of his wife named Gaṅgā, came Bhīṣma, the exalted, self-realized devotee and learned scholar.”
What the purport teaches
- After the moon-god’s dynasty ends in the Age of Kali, Devāpi will reestablish the Soma dynasty at the beginning of the next Satya-yuga.
- Bāhlīka’s son was Somadatta. Somadatta had three sons: Bhūri, Bhūriśravā and Śala.
- Bhīṣma was born to Śāntanu and Gaṅgā. He is described as an exalted, self-realized devotee and learned scholar.
Try this today
Write down Bhīṣma’s qualities from this translation and reflect on one you would like to cultivate.
Ask yourself
What do I appreciate about Bhīṣma being described as both a devotee and a learned scholar?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.