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,इत्युक्त्वा प्रस्थिता हंसा दक्षिणामभितो दिशम् | 'भीष्मजी महात्मा होकर दक्षिणायनमें कैसे अपनी मृत्यु स्वीकार करेंगे”! ऐसा कहकर वे हंसगण दक्षिणदिशाकी ओर चले गये
itaretaram āmantrya prāhus tatra manīṣiṇaḥ | kathaṁ mahātmā san saṁsthātā dakṣiṇāyane ity uktvā prasthitā haṁsā dakṣiṇām abhito diśam |
Sañjaya said: Having addressed one another, the wise sages there spoke among themselves. “How can Bhīṣma—being a great-souled man—choose to depart (from life) during the sun’s southern course (dakṣiṇāyana)?” Saying this, the swan-like ascetics set out toward the southern direction. The passage underscores reverence for Bhīṣma’s moral stature and the traditional belief that the timing of one’s death should accord with auspicious cosmic order, even amid the harsh necessities of war.
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.