Shloka 37
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अनुगोप्ता सुगोप्ता च नप्ता चेश्वर एव च । कीर्तितास्ते महाभागा: कालस्य गतिगोचरा:
anugoptā sugoptā ca naptā ceśvara eva ca | kīrtitās te mahābhāgāḥ kālasya gatigocarāḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “They have been described as protectors who follow after, as excellent guardians, as descendants, and also as sovereign lords—those illustrious ones whose rise and fall lie within the course of Time.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even those praised as ideal protectors, heirs, and sovereign rulers remain within the jurisdiction of Kāla (Time). The verse underscores impermanence and the ethical need for humility in power: governance and lineage are meaningful, yet ultimately conditioned by Time’s unfolding.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction, he characterizes certain eminent figures (spoken of in the surrounding discourse) as exemplary guardians and rulers, while simultaneously reminding the listener that their status and fortunes are still governed by the course of Time.