Shloka 46
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
तस्य चिन्तयतस्तावच्छायाभूतं महाद्युति । तेजो विग्रहवत् तात शरीरमजहात् तदा,तात! वे चिन्ता कर ही रहे थे कि उनके शरीरसे परम कान्तिमान् छायामय तेज मूर्तिमान् होकर प्रकट हुआ। उसने उनके शरीरको त्याग दिया था
tasya cintayatas tāvac chāyābhūtaṃ mahādyuti | tejo vigrahavat tāta śarīram ajahāt tadā ||
Während er noch in Gedanken versunken war, nahm eine überaus strahlende Gegenwart — wie ein Schatten und doch aus Glanz gewoben — eine deutliche Gestalt an. Dieses verkörperte Leuchten löste sich daraufhin von seinem physischen Leib.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment between the physical body (śarīra) and a subtler, luminous principle (tejas) that can be conceived as distinct. In Śānti Parva’s ethical frame, such insight supports vairāgya (detachment) and steadiness of mind, encouraging one to ground dharma in inner clarity rather than bodily identification.
While the person is deep in contemplation, a great radiance appears as a shadow-like yet embodied form. This formed radiance then departs from the body, marking a dramatic moment of separation between corporeal existence and a manifested subtle power or self-like presence.