Shloka 35
बलीन्द्रसंवादः — Kāla, Anityatā, and the Limits of Agency
Mahābhārata 12.217
बिसतन्तुर्ययैवायमन्तःस्थ: सर्वतो बिसे | तृष्णातन्तुरनाद्यन्तस्तथा देहगत: सदा
bisatantur yayaivāyam antaḥsthaḥ sarvato bise | tṛṣṇātantur anādyantaḥ tathā dehāgataḥ sadā ||
যেমন পদ্মনালার ভিতরে থাকা সূক্ষ্ম তন্তু পদ্মরেশার সর্বত্র বিস্তৃত থাকে, তেমনই অনাদি-অনন্ত তৃষ্ণাতন্তু দেহধারীর অন্তঃকরণে সদা অবস্থান করে সর্বদিকে ব্যাপ্ত থাকে।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire (tṛṣṇā) is subtle yet pervasive—like a hidden filament running through a lotus-stalk—and it continuously inhabits the embodied mind. Recognizing its all-pervading presence is essential for restraint, ethical clarity, and progress toward freedom from bondage.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on peace and right living, Bhishma teaches through a vivid natural metaphor. He explains to his listener that craving is not occasional or external; it is an inner thread spread throughout the embodied condition, shaping thought and conduct unless disciplined.