Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
ब्राह्मण उवाच स्वागतं सूर्यपुत्राय कालाय च महात्मने । मृत्यवे चाथ धर्माय कि कार्य करवाणि व:,ब्राह्मणने कहा--सूर्यपुत्र यम, महामना काल, मृत्यु तथा धर्म--इन सबका स्वागत है। बताइये, मैं आपलोगोंका कौन-सा कार्य करूँ?
brāhmaṇa uvāca svāgataṃ sūryaputrāya kālāya ca mahātmane | mṛtyave cātha dharmāya kiṃ kāryaṃ karavāṇi vaḥ ||
Sang Brahmana berkata: “Selamat datang, putra Surya, Yama; selamat datang pula, Waktu yang berhati agung; juga Maut dan Dharma. Katakanlah, tugas apakah yang harus kulakukan bagi kalian?”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
The verse models ethical composure and hospitality even toward fearsome cosmic powers—Time, Death, and Dharma—implying that one should meet inevitable realities with clarity, respect, and readiness to do one’s duty.
A Brahmin addresses the arriving figures identified as Yama (son of the Sun), Kāla (Time), Mṛtyu (Death), and Dharma, formally welcoming them and asking what service or task they require of him.