Shloka 37
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
भवांक्षाप्यार्जवपर: पूर्व कृत्वा प्रतिश्रयम् । राजवृत्तं न लभते प्रतिज्ञापालने रत:
bhavān kṣāpya ārjavaparaḥ pūrvaṃ kṛtvā pratiśrayam | rājavṛttaṃ na labhate pratijñāpālane rataḥ, yudhiṣṭhira |
Bhishma sprach: „Yudhishthira, weil du überaus geradlinig bist und der Rechtschaffenheit ergeben, hast du einst Zuflucht bei Herrn Vasudeva gesucht. Und nun, ganz darauf bedacht, dein Gelübde zu halten, nimmst du nicht die Lebensart und die Mittel an, die man für das Königtum als angemessen erachtet.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma highlights a tension within dharma: personal integrity and strict vow-keeping can sometimes prevent a ruler from employing the flexible, strategic conduct expected in kingship (rājavṛtta). He implies that a king must balance truthfulness and promises with the practical demands of governance.
Bhishma addresses Yudhishthira, characterizing him as exceptionally straightforward and devoted to keeping promises. He notes that Yudhishthira has already taken refuge in Vasudeva (Krishna), yet because he is absorbed in fulfilling his vow, he is not embracing the full range of royal conduct and expedients appropriate to a king.