Shloka 28

Kṣemadarśa–Kālakavṛkṣīya Saṃvāda: Counsel on Impermanence, Non-attachment, and Composure in Dispossession

Devanagari script

अवाप्यान्‌ कामयन्नर्थान्‌ नानवाप्यान्‌ कदाचन । प्रत्युत्पन्नाननुभवन्‌ मा शुचस्त्वमनागतान्‌

Transliteration

avāpyān kāmayann arthān nānavāpyān kadācana | pratyutpannān anubhuvan mā śucas tvam anāgatān ||

Translation

Bhishma said: Desire only those aims and possessions that can truly be obtained; never hanker after what cannot be attained. Enjoy what has already come into your hands, and do not grieve over what has not yet arrived.

Word by Word

• अवाप्यान्: attainable (to be obtained)
• अवाप्यान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवाप्य (√आप् + अव- उपसर्ग; क्त्वा-तुमुन्/ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, here as adjective)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• कामयन्: desiring
• कामयन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कम् (कामयति)
• Form: Present (Shatru participle), Singular, Masculine, Nominative

• अर्थान्: objects/ends, desired things
• अर्थान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• अनवाप्यान्: unattainable
• अनवाप्यान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनवाप्य (अन्- + अवाप्य)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• कदाचन: ever/at any time
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन

• प्रत्युत्पन्नान्: present, already arisen/available
• प्रत्युत्पन्नान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रत्युत्पन्न (प्रति-उत्-√पद्/√पत्; past participle used adjectivally)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अनुभवन्: enjoying/experiencing
• अनुभवन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (अनु-√भू; अनुभवति)
• Form: Present (Shatru participle), Singular, Masculine, Nominative

• मा: do not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मा
• Form: prohibitive particle with imperative/optative

• शुचः: grieve (you should grieve)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुच् (शोचति)
• Form: Imperative, 2nd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: युष्मद्
• Form: Nominative, Singular

• अनागतान्: not yet come, future (things)
• अनागतान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनागत (अन्- + आगत; past participle used adjectivally)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Cultivate realistic desire and inner contentment: seek what is attainable, refrain from chasing the impossible, enjoy what is presently available, and avoid anxiety or sorrow over future, not-yet-arrived outcomes.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right living, Bhishma continues advising the listener (Yudhishthira in context) on mental discipline—redirecting attention from speculative future worries to responsible engagement with what is presently within reach.