Question: SB 1.9.8 states that Sukadeva Goswami was present during the passing of Bhismadeva. Yet SB 1.19.26 indicates ‘This son of Vyasadeva was only sixteen years old.’
How to explain this apparent discrepancy?
Answer by Romapada Swami: One of the acaryas (Giridharlal Goswami) in his commentary Bala-prabodhini has commented on the verse 1.19.26 as follows:
sodasa-varsa-vayaskam iva sthitam — “He (Sukadeva) was situated AS IF sixteen years.”
The term iva in the Sanskrit means “as if”.
A similar usage of iva can be seen in Srimad-bhagavatam (10.19.16) —
ksanam yuga-satam iva — “Even a moment without Govinda’s association seemed like a hundred ages.”
