Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 105, Shloka 26
भरतस्य प्रार्थना—रामस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः
Bharata’s Petition and Rama’s Instruction on Time and Mortality
यथा काष्ठं च काष्ठं च समेयातां महार्णवे।
समेत्य च व्यपेयातां कालमासाद्य कञ्चन।।2.105.26।।
एवं भार्याश्चपुत्राश्च ज्ञातयश्च धनानि च।
समेत्य व्यवधावन्ति ध्रुवो ह्येषां विनाभवः।।2.105.27।।
yathā kāṣṭhaṃ ca kāṣṭhaṃ ca sameyātāṃ mahārṇave | sametya ca vyapeyātāṃ kālam āsādya kañcana || 2.105.26 ||
Ainsi que deux morceaux de bois se rencontrent sur le vaste océan : s’étant rejoints, ils demeurent un temps ensemble, puis, quand l’heure vient, se séparent de nouveau.
In a mighty ocean, two pieces of logs meet one another, float together and in due course get separated. In the same way wives, sons, relatives and riches remain together for some time and thereafter get separated. Their separation is certain.
FAQs
Non-attachment: dharma-informed grief is tempered by understanding that all unions in saṃsāra are temporary.
Bharata begins a simile to explain separation as a natural law, preparing to apply it to family and wealth.
Steadiness (dhairya): cultivating composure by reflecting on the nature of coming together and parting.