O mighty-armed Bhishma, you are described by the Brahinanas as the ninth of the Vasus. By your virtues, however, you have excelled them all and are equal to Vasava himself.
स त्वं भीष्म महाबाहो वसूनां वासवोपमः। नित्यं विप्रैः समाख्यातो नवमोऽनवमो गुणैः॥