Shloka 102
इतरेतरमामन्त्रय प्राहुस्तत्र मनीषिण: । उन भरतश्रेष्ठ महात्मा गंगानन्दन भीष्मका दर्शन करके ऋषियोंने उनकी प्रदक्षिणा की। फिर दक्षिणायन-युक्त सूर्यके सम्बन्धमें परस्पर सलाह करके वे मनीषी मुनि इस प्रकार बोले - || १०१ ह || भीष्म: कथं महात्मा सन् संस्थाता दक्षिणायने
itaretaram āmantrya prāhus tatra manīṣiṇaḥ | kathaṁ mahātmā san saṁsthātā dakṣiṇāyane ity uktvā prasthitā haṁsā dakṣiṇām abhito diśam |
Sañjaya dit : S’étant interpellés et consultés, les sages présents se dirent : « Comment Bhīṣma, lui qui est grand d’âme, pourrait-il choisir de quitter la vie durant le dakṣiṇāyana, lorsque le soleil suit sa course vers le sud ? » Sur ces mots, les ascètes en forme de cygnes prirent la direction du sud.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and spiritual ideal of self-mastery aligned with cosmic order: a great person’s departure is expected to be deliberate and in harmony with auspicious time (kāla). The sages’ astonishment emphasizes Bhīṣma’s exceptional discipline and the cultural weight given to uttarāyaṇa/dakṣiṇāyana in evaluating the propriety of one’s final moment.
Sañjaya reports that the sages, after consulting one another, express surprise that Bhīṣma would accept death during dakṣiṇāyana. After voicing this concern, the swan-like ascetics depart toward the south, indicating their movement away after paying respects and reflecting on the timing of Bhīṣma’s impending end.