Shloka 9
कālacakra-वर्णनम् तथा āśrama-धarma-निरूपणम्
The Wheel of Time and the Norms of the Āśramas
महदादिविशेषान्तमसक्तं प्रभवाव्ययम् । मनोजवं मनःकान्तं कालचक्रं प्रवर्तते
mahadādiviśeṣāntam asaktaṁ prabhavāvyayam | manojavaṁ manaḥkāntaṁ kālacakraṁ pravartate ||
ವಾಯು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಕಾಲಚಕ್ರವು ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಚಲಿಸುತ್ತದೆ—ಮಹತ್ತತ್ತ್ವದಿಂದ ಆರಂಭಿಸಿ ವಿಶೇಷ ರೂಪಗಳವರೆಗೆ; ಆಸಕ್ತಿರಹಿತ, ಆದರೂ ಎಲ್ಲದರ ಮೂಲ; ಅವ್ಯಯ. ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ವೇಗದಂತೆ ವೇಗವಿದ್ದು, ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಮನೋಹರವಾದ ಈ ಚಕ್ರವು ನಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಮುಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಉರುಳುತ್ತಾ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಜೀವಿಗಳನ್ನೂ ಘಟನೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ತನ್ನ ಅಚ್ಛಿನ್ನ ಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊತ್ತುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Time is portrayed as an impersonal, unstoppable cosmic principle: it generates and encompasses the whole range of existence—from subtle universal principles (like Mahat) to concrete particulars—yet remains itself unattached and imperishable. Ethically, the image urges detachment and steadiness: one should act according to dharma without clinging, recognizing that all conditioned things are carried along by Time.
Vāyu is speaking in a reflective, instructive mode, describing the nature of Time as a ‘wheel’ that continually turns. The statement functions as philosophical counsel within the Ashvamedhika Parva’s broader post-war setting, where teachings often emphasize the transience of worldly conditions and the need for dharmic clarity after great upheaval.