Bhīṣma’s Śara-śayyā Stuti to Vāsudeva and Yogic Preparation for Dehotsarga
Body-Relinquishment
ततो गिर: पुरुषवरस्तवान्विता द्विजेरिता: पथि सुमना: स शुश्रुवे कृताज्जलिं प्रणतमथापरं जनं स केशिहा मुदितमना भ्यनन्दत
tato giraḥ puruṣavarastavānvitā dvijeritāḥ pathi sumanāḥ sa śuśruve kṛtāñjaliṃ praṇatam athāparaṃ janaṃ sa keśihā muditamanābhyānandata
Then, as he proceeded on the road, the Supreme among men—Śrī Kṛṣṇa—heard with a pleased and tranquil mind the hymns of praise voiced by brāhmaṇas. Many others, too, approached with hands joined and bowed at his feet; and Keśihā (the slayer of Keśin), inwardly delighted, acknowledged them with gracious approval.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights dhārmic reciprocity: society expresses reverence toward the worthy through praise and respectful gestures, while the truly great respond with inner joy and gracious acknowledgment rather than arrogance. It models humility, public piety, and the ethical ideal of honoring virtue.
As Kṛṣṇa travels along the road, brāhmaṇas recite praises of him, which he listens to with a pleased mind. Other people bow with folded hands at his feet, and Kṛṣṇa—called Keśihā—feels inward delight and welcomes them.