Soot said: Afraid of the betrayal of the subjects, and desiring to uphold all dharmas, he fell down where the divine vow had previously fallen.

Then all your brothers, adorned with golden ornaments and riding on chariots, followed the sages like Vyasa and Dhaumya.

Even the Lord, the son of the sage, shone like Kuber among the hidden ones, when Arjuna drove the chariot.

Seeing Bhishma fallen on the ground, like a celestial being fallen from the sky, the Pandavas along with the charioteer bowed down.

There, all the Brahmarishis, Devarishis, and royal sages were present to witness the great Bharata.

There were the mountains, Narada, Dhoumya, the Lord Badarayana, Brihadashva, Bharadvaja, and the disciple Renuka's son.

Vasishta, Indrapramada, Tritha, Gritsamada, Asita, Kakshivan, Gautama, and Kaushika, along with Sudarshana, were also present.

Others, O Brahman, pure like the Brahmarishis, accompanied by their disciples, approached Kashyapa and Angirasa.

Recognizing those great souls, the wise one, knowing the principles of righteousness, worshipped them according to time and place.

He worshipped Krishna, the Lord of the universe, who was seated and known for his divine power, manifesting in a form created by illusion.

He spoke to the Pandavas, who were devoted and filled with love, with a vision that transcended ordinary perception.

Alas, how difficult and unjust it is, O sons of Dharma, that you are not worthy to live, being devoted to the path of righteousness.

When the Pandavas were established, Pritha (Kunti) suffered many troubles for your sake, repeatedly afflicted with her sons.

I consider everything created by time to be unpleasing to you, just as the clouds are under the control of the wind.

Where the king, the son of Dharma, wielding a mace, and Bhima, the son of Kunti, are present, along with Krishna and the Gandiva bow, there is surely danger.

Indeed, no man can ever know what is ordained by the Vedas, O king, for even the wise are bewildered by the inquiry.

Therefore, this divine scripture is established, O Bharata, and those who are helpless should be protected by you, O Lord.

This is indeed the Supreme Lord, the original Narayana, who, through illusion, moves secretly among the Vrishnis.

The Supreme Lord, the most secretive Shiva, is indeed the embodiment of this experience; the sage Narada is directly the Lord Kapila, O King.

Whom you consider as your maternal uncle, dear friend, and best companion, you made him your minister, messenger, and charioteer out of friendship.

For one who sees all beings with an equal vision, who is free from ego, there is no disparity in the actions performed by such a person.

Yet, for those who are exclusively devoted, behold, the king is compassionate; Krishna, who is directly present, has come to see those who abandon me.

The yogi, who is absorbed in devotion, who does not speak the name and glory of the Lord, when he gives up his body, is liberated from the bondage of desires and actions.

That God, the Lord of Lords, waits for this body until I give it up. He has a pleasing smile, red eyes, and a beautiful lotus-like face, and He is four-armed, meditating on the path of devotion.

Soot spoke: Upon hearing this, Yudhishthira, lying on the arrow bed, asked about the various dharmas from the sages who were listening.

According to the nature of a person, as per their qualities and ashrama, the characteristics of both renunciation and attachment are described.

The divisions of charitable duties, royal duties, and duties leading to liberation, as well as the duties of women and the duties of the Lord, are described in detail.

The sage, knowing the essence, described the means to attain righteousness, wealth, desire, and liberation as mentioned in various narratives and histories.

When he spoke of righteousness, the time of the yogi's desired death approached, which is the northern path.

Having withdrawn his speech, the mind, freed from all attachments, focused on Krishna, who is adorned with a yellow garment and stands before us with four arms and closed eyes.

By the pure practice of meditation, having dispelled all inauspiciousness, he praised the Lord, who is the source of all beings, and who has withdrawn all sensory distractions.

Thus spoke Bhishma: This determination, free from greed, is directed towards the Supreme Being, who, having attained his own bliss, sometimes engages in pastimes, while nature flows as per the course of existence.

May the love of my friend, who is adorned with a form of dark hue and wears a golden garment, be mine. He is surrounded by the lotus-like faces of his kin.

In battle, may the soul of Krishna, who is adorned with a dark horse and is surrounded by the glories of valor, protect me as I am pierced by sharp arrows.

Upon hearing the words of my friend, I shall place my chariot between the two armies, and may my love for Arjuna, who stands firm, be fulfilled.

Observing the face of the one who is turned away from the slaughter of his kin, may my devotion to the supreme being, who is knowledgeable in the essence of the self, be fulfilled.

Leaving aside the scriptures, I, who am seated in the chariot, have taken a vow to uphold the truth. Like the swift wind, I am determined to eliminate this foe.

May Lord Mukunda, who is the remover of my obstacles, protect me, as I am struck by the arrows of the enemy and overwhelmed by the wounds of battle.

May my devotion to the Lord, who is the embodiment of beauty and who is the source of all auspiciousness, be steadfast, as I observe the fallen ones in this world.

The gopis, intoxicated by love, are captivated by the playful movements and charming smiles of Krishna, who is the embodiment of all beauty.

In the assembly of sages and kings, where Yudhishthira performed the Rajasuya sacrifice, may I be blessed with the sight of the divine presence that is worthy of worship.

I have realized the one, undivided self that resides in the hearts of all beings, free from the illusion of duality, just like the sun that shines uniformly.

Soot said: Thus, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, having absorbed his mind and speech into the Self, became calm, taking a deep breath.

Knowing that Bhishma was being honored, all became silent like the birds at the end of the day.

There, the drums did not sound, and the divine and human beings sang praises of the noble kings who were showered with flowers.

Due to the removal of his burdens, Yudhishthira, the descendant of Bhrigu, became sorrowful for a moment.

The sages, pleased, praised Krishna with his secret names, and then, with hearts full of Krishna, they returned to their hermitages.

Then Yudhishthira, along with Krishna, went to console his father and the ascetic Gandhari.

With the approval of his father and the endorsement of Vasudeva, the king established the kingdom in accordance with dharma, the glorious one.