अप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तेषु कालो जागर्ति देहिषु
apramattaḥ pramatteṣu kālo jāgarti dehiṣu
Bhīṣma berkata: “Ketika makhluk-makhluk lengah, Kala tetap berjaga di tengah para makhluk berjasad.”
भीष्म उवाच
Time is inexorable and constantly active; human negligence does not pause consequences. Therefore one should live with alertness, restraint, and timely performance of dharma, remembering that embodied life is subject to change and death.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right conduct, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira. Here he underscores the urgency of ethical vigilance by reminding that Kāla (Time) never sleeps among mortals, even when they become careless.