Shloka 104
तानब्रवीच्छान्तनवो नाहं गनन्ता कथंचन । दक्षिणावर्त आदित्ये एतन्मे मनसि स्थितम्,भारत! हंसोंके जाते समय उन्हें देखकर परम बुद्धिमान् भीष्मने कुछ चिन्तन करके उनसे कहा---मैं सूर्यके दक्षिणायन रहते किसी प्रकार यहाँसे प्रस्थान नहीं करूँगा। यह मेरे मनका निश्चित विचार है
tān abravīc chāntanavo nāhaṁ gantā kathaṁcana | dakṣiṇāvarta āditye etan me manasi sthitam, bhārata |
Sañjaya said: Then Śāntanu’s son (Bhīṣma), after reflecting, spoke to them: “So long as the Sun is in its southward course (dakṣiṇāyana), I will not depart from here in any way. This is my settled resolve, O 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.