Shloka 39
Bhīṣma’s Yogic Departure, Royal Cremation, and Gaṅgā’s Lament (भीष्मस्य योगयुक्त्या देहत्यागः, पितृमेधः, गङ्गाविलापः)
कालेनायं जन: सर्वो निहतो रणमूर्धनि । वयं च कालेन हता: कालो हि परमेश्वर:,ये सब राजालोग युद्धके मुहानेपर कालके द्वारा मारे गये हैं, हम भी कालसे ही मारे गये हैं; क्योंकि काल ही परमेश्वर है
bhīṣma uvāca | kālenāyaṃ janaḥ sarvo nihato raṇamūrdhani | vayaṃ ca kālena hatāḥ kālo hi parameśvaraḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Oleh Waktu semata seluruh kumpulan manusia ini telah ditumbangkan di garis terdepan pertempuran. Kita pun dibunuh oleh Waktu; sebab Waktu itulah Tuhan Yang Mahatinggi.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames death in war as ultimately governed by Kāla (Time), presented as the supreme power. Ethically, it redirects blame and pride away from human agents toward a recognition of impermanence and the limits of personal control, encouraging detachment and humility.
Bhishma reflects on the mass deaths at the battle’s forefront, including his own impending end, interpreting the catastrophe as the working of Time rather than merely human victory or defeat.