Shloka 9
Jvarotpatti — The Origin and Distribution of Jvara
Fever
पज्चैव तानि कालक्ष भावाभावौ च केवलौ । अष्टौ भूतानि भूतानां शाश्वतानि भवात्ययौ
pañcaiva tāni kālaś ca bhāvābhāvau ca kevalau | aṣṭau bhūtāni bhūtānāṃ śāśvatāni bhavātyayau ||
অসিত বললেন— “ওই পাঁচ মহাভূত, কাল, এবং কেবল শুদ্ধ ভাব ও অভাব—এই আট তত্ত্বই শাশ্বত। এরা সকল চরাচর প্রাণীর উৎপত্তি ও প্রলয়ের ভিত্তি, এবং তাদের উদ্ভব-লয়ের বিধানকারী।”
असित उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that behind the changing world of creatures lie stable, foundational principles: the five great elements, Time, and the paired notions of Being and Non-being. These are presented as the enduring bases that support both creation (arising) and dissolution (passing away).
In the Shanti Parva’s instructional setting, the sage Asita is explaining a metaphysical framework to clarify how beings originate and perish. The focus is not on a plot event but on philosophical teaching meant to guide right understanding and detachment.