Shloka 18
Ākiṃcanya–Tyāga Upadeśa
The Instruction on Non-ownership and Renunciation
ततोअस्तं भास्करे याते संध्याकाल उपस्थिते । आजगाम स्वभवनं ब्रह्मलोकात् खगोत्तम:
tato 'staṃ bhāskare yāte sandhyākāla upasthite | ājagāma svabhavanaṃ brahmalokāt khagottamaḥ ||
Then, when the Sun had set and twilight had arrived, a foremost bird came from Brahmaloka to its own dwelling-place. That tree itself was its home and resting place, marking the close of the day and the return of a lofty being to its appointed abode.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores alignment with ṛta (cosmic order): as day turns to twilight, beings return to their proper abodes. It subtly affirms the ethical ideal of living in harmony with time, duty, and one’s appointed place.
At sunset, when twilight begins, a distinguished bird arrives from Brahmaloka and comes to its own residence—identified as a tree—setting the scene for the continuation of Bhīṣma’s discourse.