Shloka 6
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
कीर्त्यमानेषु राज्ञां तु तदा नामसु सर्वश:ः । एकाकिन तदा भीष्म॑ वृद्ध शान्तनुनन्दनम्,उस समय सब ओर राजाओंके नाम ले-लेकर उन सबका परिचय दिया जा रहा था। इतनेमें ही शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्म, जो अब वृद्ध हो चले थे, वहाँ अकेले ही आ पहुँचे। उन्हें देखकर वे सब परम सुन्दरी कन्याएँ उद्विग्न-सी होकर, ये बूढ़े हैं, ऐसा सोचती हुई वहाँसे दूर भाग गयीं
kīrtyamāneṣu rājñāṃ tu tadā nāmasu sarvaśaḥ | ekākīnaṃ tadā bhīṣmaṃ vṛddhaṃ śāntanunandanam ||
Disse Vaiśaṃpāyana: Enquanto os nomes dos reis eram proclamados por toda parte e cada um era apresentado, Bhīṣma —filho de Śāntanu, já de idade avançada— chegou ali sozinho. Ao vê-lo, aquelas donzelas de extrema beleza ficaram inquietas; pensando apenas: “Ele é velho”, retiraram-se daquele lugar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how social perception—especially regarding age and suitability—shapes human reactions. It implicitly contrasts Bhīṣma’s stature and duty-bound life with the maidens’ instinctive preference, showing how worldly criteria can override reverence.
As the assembled kings are being formally introduced by name, the elderly Bhīṣma arrives alone. The maidens, unsettled by his age and assuming him unsuitable, move away and flee from the spot.