Shloka 104
तानब्रवीच्छान्तनवो नाहं गनन्ता कथंचन । दक्षिणावर्त आदित्ये एतन्मे मनसि स्थितम्
tān abravīc chāntanavo nāhaṁ gantā kathaṁcana | dakṣiṇāvarta āditye etan me manasi sthitam, bhārata |
Sañjaya dit : Alors le fils de Śāntanu (Bhīṣma), après avoir réfléchi, leur adressa ces paroles : « Tant que le Soleil suivra sa course vers le sud (dakṣiṇāyana), je ne quitterai ce lieu d’aucune façon. Telle est ma résolution arrêtée, ô Bhārata. »
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast resolve and disciplined adherence to a chosen dharmic timing: Bhīṣma, master of his vows, refuses to relinquish life while the Sun is in its southward course, showing self-control and alignment with a cosmic/ritual order rather than impulse or convenience.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīṣma, lying on the battlefield and contemplating, addresses those present and declares that he will not leave his body yet; he will remain until the Sun turns to the auspicious northward course, indicating his deliberate postponement of death.