Shloka 1
Kapila’s Analysis of Materialistic Life, Death, and the Path to Hell
Kāla, Karma, and Yamadūtas
कपिल उवाच तस्यैतस्य जनो नूनं नायं वेदोरुविक्रमम् । काल्यमानोऽपि बलिनो वायोरिव घनावलि: ॥ १ ॥
kapila uvāca tasyaitasya jano nūnaṁ nāyaṁ vedoru-vikramam kālyamāno ’pi balino vāyor iva ghanāvaliḥ
Kapila said: As a mass of clouds does not know the mighty influence of the wind, so a person absorbed in material consciousness does not know the great power of kāla, time, by which he is carried away.
The great politician- paṇḍita named Cāṇakya said that even one moment of time cannot be returned even if one is prepared to pay millions of dollars. One cannot calculate the amount of loss there is in wasting valuable time. Either materially or spiritually, one should be very alert in utilizing the time which he has at his disposal. A conditioned soul lives in a particular body for a fixed measurement of time, and it is recommended in the scriptures that within that small measurement of time one has to finish Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus gain release from the influence of the time factor. But, unfortunately, those who are not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are carried away by the strong power of time without their knowledge, as clouds are carried by the wind.
FAQs
This verse states that people generally do not recognize Time’s irresistible power; it pushes even the strongest onward, like wind driving clouds.
Kapila begins this section by undermining material pride—showing that strength, status, and plans are all overruled by Kāla—so the listener turns toward lasting spiritual shelter.
Remembering that Time carries everyone forward helps reduce arrogance and anxiety, encouraging disciplined spiritual practice, humility, and prioritizing devotion over temporary achievements.