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 |
Sinabi ni Yājñavalkya: “Kapag ang likás na maitim o kayumangging kutis ng isang tao ay nagsimulang mamutla o manilaw, itinuturing itong tanda ng nalalapit na kamatayan—hindi inaasahang mabubuhay pa siya nang lampas sa anim na buwan. Gayundin, ang nagpapakita ng paghamak sa mga diyos at nakikipag-alitan sa mga brāhmaṇa ay may taglay ding gayong nakamamatay na palatandaan.”
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.