Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 6
स निर्ययौ गजपुराद् याजकैः परिवारित: । दृष्टवा निवृत्तमादित्यं प्रवृत्तं चोत्तरायणम्
sa niryayau gajapurād yājakaiḥ parivāritaḥ | dṛṣṭvā nivṛttam ādityaṃ pravṛttaṃ cottarāyaṇam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Napalilibutan ng mga paring tagapaghandog, lumisan siya mula sa lungsod ng mga Kuru (Hastināpura). Nang makita niyang ang Araw ay tumigil na sa timog na landas at pumasok sa hilagang landas (Uttarāyaṇa), siya’y lumabas—itinugma ang kilos sa mapalad na kaayusan ng sansinukob at sa wastong tuntunin ng ritwal.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights acting in alignment with dharma through attention to auspicious timing and ritual order: major undertakings are ideally begun when cosmic signs (like the Sun’s northward course) indicate a favorable, orderly season, and with proper priestly guidance.
A principal figure departs from Hastināpura (called Gajapura), accompanied by priests. He does so after observing that the Sun has shifted from the southern course (Dakṣiṇāyana) to the northern course (Uttarāyaṇa), marking an auspicious transition for commencing a significant action.