Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 323
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
तमोघनायामपि वै निशायां विचरिष्यथ । बिलमें रहते समय तुम आहार न मिलनेके कारण अचेत और निष्प्राण होकर सूख जाओगे तो भी भूमि तुम्हें धारण किये रहेगी--वर्षाका जल मिलनेपर तुम पुन: जीवित हो उठोगे। घने अन्धकारसे भरी हुई रात्रिमें भी तुम विचरते रहोगे
tamoghanāyām api vai niśāyāṁ vicariṣyatha |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Kahit sa mga gabing siksik ang dilim, maglalakad ka pa rin. Bagaman magkubli ka sa lungga at, dahil sa kakulangan ng pagkain, mawalan ng ulirat na wari’y wala nang buhay—matutuyo—gayunman, dadalhin ka pa rin ng lupa; at kapag dumating ang ulan at may tubig, muli kang mabubuhay. Kaya sa gitna ng makapal na dilim, magpapatuloy ka sa iyong landas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes endurance and continuity: even in conditions of extreme obscurity and hardship, one persists. Ethically, it points to steadfastness—remaining active and sustained despite deprivation and darkness.
Bhīṣma is describing a condition of survival and persistence: the addressed beings continue to move even in dense night-darkness, and even if they become inert from lack of food while hidden, they can revive when life-supporting conditions (like rain-water) return.