Shloka 9
कālacakra-वर्णनम् तथा āśrama-धarma-निरूपणम्
The Wheel of Time and the Norms of the Āśramas
महदादिविशेषान्तमसक्तं प्रभवाव्ययम् । मनोजवं मनःकान्तं कालचक्रं प्रवर्तते
mahadādiviśeṣāntam asaktaṁ prabhavāvyayam | manojavaṁ manaḥkāntaṁ kālacakraṁ pravartate ||
বায়ু বললেন—কালচক্র অবিরাম ঘোরে—মহত্তত্ত্ব থেকে আরম্ভ করে বিশেষ রূপ পর্যন্ত; আসক্তিহীন, তবু সকলের উৎস; অব্যয়। মনসম বেগবান ও মনোহর এই চক্র নিরন্তর গড়িয়ে চলে, সকল প্রাণী ও ঘটনাকে তার অশেষ গতিপথে বহন করে।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Time is portrayed as an impersonal, unstoppable cosmic principle: it generates and encompasses the whole range of existence—from subtle universal principles (like Mahat) to concrete particulars—yet remains itself unattached and imperishable. Ethically, the image urges detachment and steadiness: one should act according to dharma without clinging, recognizing that all conditioned things are carried along by Time.
Vāyu is speaking in a reflective, instructive mode, describing the nature of Time as a ‘wheel’ that continually turns. The statement functions as philosophical counsel within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader post-war setting, where teachings often emphasize the transience of worldly conditions and the need for dharmic clarity after great upheaval.