Shloka 107
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
स रथैनन्दिघोषैश्न पृष्ठतो हानुगम्यते । देवकन्यासमारूढै: काउ्चनैर्विमलै: शुभै:,उसके पीछे सिंहों और व्याप्रोंसे जुते हुए तथा मेघोंकी गम्भीर गर्जनासे निनादित बहुसंख्यक रथ सानन्द विजयघोष करते हुए चलते हैं। उन सुवर्णमय, निर्मल एवं मंगलकारी रथोंपर देवकन्याएँ आरूढ़ होती हैं इति श्रीमहा भारते अनुशासनपर्वणि दानधर्मपर्वणि उपवासविधिरनाम सप्ताधिकशततमो<ध्याय:
sa rathair nandighoṣaiś ca pṛṣṭhato 'nugamyate | devakanyā-samārūḍhaiḥ kāñcanaiḥ vimalaiḥ śubhaiḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “He is followed from behind by many chariots that resound with joyful cries of victory, their roar deep like thunderclouds. Upon those golden, spotless, and auspicious chariots ride celestial maidens. The passage evokes the moral fruit of dharma—especially gifts and disciplined observance—pictured as a radiant, orderly procession that honors the righteous and proclaims their merit.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a vivid image of the auspicious results of dharmic conduct—especially charity and disciplined observances like fasting—showing that merit (puṇya) brings honor, purity, and elevated companionship, symbolized by golden chariots and celestial attendants.
Bhīṣma is describing the posthumous or otherworldly honor accorded to a righteous person: a grand procession of resonant chariots follows him, and celestial maidens ride upon those auspicious vehicles, proclaiming his merit.