
The second question: Kim va ekam api parayanam — What is that single parayanam? Parayanam: param ayanam / प्राप्तव्यम् sthanam — the ultimate destination. The ultimate path which takes one to the ultimate destination. By taking that single path only, one can reach the ultimate destination.
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिः छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः। क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि तस्मिन्दृष्टे परावरे॥
By the realization of which, Hridaya Granthi (the knot of ignorance) is broken,
Chidyante Sarva Samshayaḥ — all doubts disappear,
Kshiyante Karmani — karmas are exhausted. These are the results of achieving Him.
यस्य विज्ञानमात्रेण आनन्दलक्षणो मोक्षः प्राप्यते। By knowing which, moksha (liberation) is obtained, the sign of which is Ananda (bliss).
यद्विद्वान्न बिभेति कुतश्चन। By knowing that, one doesn’t fear anything anymore.
यत्प्रविष्टस्य न विद्यते पुनर्भवः। Upon entering that place, there is no rebirth.
यस्य च वेदनात्तदेव भवति। By knowing that, one becomes that.
Brahma Veda Brahmaiva Bhavati — by knowing Brahma, one becomes Brahma.
Nanyah Pantha Vidyate Yanaya — there is no other path for the journey to the ultimate destination.
यद्विहाय परः पन्थाः नृणां नास्ति। Other than that, there is no path for humans.
Loke kim tat parayanam?
The third question: Kam stuvantah manavah prapnuyuh?
By praising whom do men achieve happiness, splendor, and auspiciousness?
The fourth question: Kam archanatah manah sukham prapnuyuh?
By worshipping whom do humans achieve auspiciousness such as Swarga and Moksha?
The fifth question: Bhavan matah ko dharmah sarvadharmanam paramah?
Which, in your opinion, is the greatest of all dharmas?
The sixth question: Kim japan jantuh janma samsara bandhanat muchyate?
By chanting what do living beings get released from the shackles of ignorance and delusion?
Why is the term jantu used here? Jantu means living being, not just man.
That means the right to chant, worship, and pray are not just limited to humans; all living beings have this right. They all worship Him in their own ways.
Janma here indicates ignorance that causes rebirth. Once ignorance goes, there is no rebirth.
Samsara is worldly delusion. Janma Samsara Bandhanat — from the shackles of ignorance and delusion.
What is that one and only chant that releases all living beings from bondage? These were the six questions that Yudhishthira asked Bhishma.
Now Bhishma answers Yudhishthira’s sixth question first.
Bhishma means Sarvesham Bahirantah Satrunam Bhayahetu — cause of fear for all enemies, internal and external — inside and outside. He is also the teacher of the principles of Dharma and Moksha. By imparting knowledge, Bhishma vanquishes the enemy that is inside — ignorance, lust, anger, greed, pride, competition, jealousy — these are all enemies of oneself that reside inside. They all fear him because Bhishma's teachings destroy them. As for the external enemies, his enemies in war — they all are afraid of him because he is undefeatable, he can’t be killed. He is Chiranjeevi (immortal).
Bhishma said:
Jagat Prabhum — Prabhu (swami), Lord of the Jagat (universe), consisting of movables and immovables.
Deva Devam — Deva of Devas.
Anantam — endless, infinite, beyond the constraints of space and time.
Purushottamam — one who is superior to the perishable and non-perishable. One who is superior to cause and effect.
Jagat Prabhum Devadevam Anantam Purushottamam Nama Sahasrena Stuvan
By praising Him, who is all of this, using His thousand names.
Who praises? Purushah Satatotitah — A man always ready to do that. By doing this, what does he get?
Now we have to bring in the last term of the sixth verse here:
Sarva Duhkhātigo Bhavet
He goes beyond all miseries, beyond all unhappiness, beyond all pain.
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