Shloka 104
तानब्रवीच्छान्तनवो नाहं गनन्ता कथंचन । दक्षिणावर्त आदित्ये एतन्मे मनसि स्थितम्
tān abravīc chāntanavo nāhaṁ gantā kathaṁcana | dakṣiṇāvarta āditye etan me manasi sthitam, bhārata |
Sañjaya sprach: Da sagte Śāntanus Sohn (Bhīṣma) nach kurzem Nachsinnen zu ihnen: „Solange die Sonne ihren südlichen Lauf (dakṣiṇāyana) nimmt, werde ich diesen Ort auf keine Weise verlassen. Dies ist mein fest gefasster Entschluss, o Bhārata.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast resolve and disciplined adherence to a chosen dharmic timing: Bhīṣma, master of his vows, refuses to relinquish life while the Sun is in its southward course, showing self-control and alignment with a cosmic/ritual order rather than impulse or convenience.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, lying on the battlefield and contemplating, addresses those present and declares that he will not leave his body yet; he will remain until the Sun turns to the auspicious northward course, indicating his deliberate postponement of death.