Shloka 123
Aśoka-śāstra: Nārada’s Instruction on the Cessation of Śoka
Grief
कृष्णश्यावच्छविच्छाय: षण्मासान्मृत्युलक्षणम् । जो काले रंगका होकर भी पीला पड़ने लगे
kṛṣṇaśyāvachavicchāyaḥ ṣaṇmāsān mṛtyulakṣaṇam |
ヤージュニャヴァルキヤは言った。「人の本来の黒み、あるいは褐色の肌が、次第に青白く、また黄ばんでくるなら、それは死の近い徴と見なされる—その者は六か月を越えて生きるとは期待されぬ。同様に、神々を侮り、ブラーフマナたちと敵対する者もまた、同じ致命の印を負う。」
याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ethical decline—disrespecting the gods and opposing brāhmaṇas—with grave consequences, and frames certain bodily changes (a dark complexion turning pallid/yellowish) as traditional omens of imminent death. The moral emphasis is on maintaining reverence and right conduct (dharma), especially toward sacred institutions.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, Yājñavalkya is instructing about signs and causes associated with impending death and misfortune. He presents a prognostic marker (complexion change) and pairs it with behavioral markers (impiety and hostility toward brāhmaṇas) as indicators that a person’s end is near.