Shloka 16
कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
एवं तु वर्तमानस्य तस्य वृत्तिं दुरात्मन: । अगमत् सुमहान् कालो न चाधर्ममबुध्यत
evaṃ tu vartamānasya tasya vṛttiṃ durātmanaḥ | agamat sumahān kālo na cādharmam abudhyata ||
ಭೀಷ್ಮನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಹೀಗೆ ಆ ದುಷ್ಟಬುದ್ಧಿಯವನು ತನ್ನ ಅದೇ ವೃತ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದುವರಿದಾಗ, ಬಹಳ ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆಯಿತು; ಆದರೂ ತನ್ನದು ಅಧರ್ಮವೆಂಬ ಅರಿವು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Persistent engagement in an unrighteous habit (vṛtti) can cause ethical numbness: even as time passes, a person may fail to recognize adharma unless they actively cultivate discernment and self-examination.
Bhīṣma describes a person of wicked disposition who continues in his established way of life; despite a long period passing, he does not perceive that his conduct is adharma—highlighting the danger of normalized wrongdoing.