Shloka 2.105.31
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः (Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality)
वयसः पतमानस्य स्रोतसो वाऽनिवर्तिनः।आत्मा सुखे नियोक्तव्यस्सुखभाजः प्रजाः स्मृताः।।2.105.31।।
vayasaḥ patamānasya srotaso vā 'nivartinaḥ | ātmā sukhe niyoktavyaḥ sukhabhājaḥ prajāḥ smṛtāḥ || 2.105.31 ||
As age slips away like a stream that never turns back, one should discipline the self toward the good that yields enduring happiness; for it is taught that people seek happiness and share in it.
Like the flow of water which never reverts to its source, age passes. Therefore, a man must employ his self in righteous acts that bring him happiness. By doing so, it is said, people will always be happy.
Use time rightly: since life moves forward irreversibly, dharma is to engage the mind in righteous conduct that produces true well-being.
Bharata urges Rāma to orient himself to constructive, dharmic action, rather than being immobilized by loss.
Self-mastery (ātma-niyama): directing the mind toward the good despite the pressure of grief.