Shloka 56
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
भिषजो भैषजं कर्तु कस्मादिच्छन्ति रोगिण: । यदि कालेन पच्यन्ते भेषजै: कि प्रयोजनम्,वैद्यलोग रोगियोंकी दवा करनेकी अभिलाषा क्यों करते हैं? यदि काल ही सबको पका रहा है तो दवाओंका क्या प्रयोजन है?
bhiṣajo bhaiṣajaṃ kartuṃ kasmād icchanti rogiṇaḥ | yadi kālena pacyante bheṣajaiḥ kiṃ prayojanam ||
ພຣະພຣາຫມະດັດຕະ ກ່າວວ່າ: «ເປັນຫຍັງໝໍຈຶ່ງປາຖະໜາຈະໃຫ້ຢາແກ່ຄົນເຈັບ? ຖ້າກາລະ (ເວລາ) ເປັນຜູ້ ‘ເຮັດໃຫ້ສຸກງອມ’ ນໍາສັດທັງປວງໄປສູ່ຈຸດຈົບທີ່ກໍານົດໄວ້ ແລ້ວຢາຈະມີປະໂຫຍດອັນໃດ?»
ब्रह्मदत्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse questions whether human interventions (like medical treatment) have real efficacy if Time/destiny governs outcomes. It invites reflection on how dharmic action—skillful, compassionate effort—can still be meaningful even when ultimate mortality is unavoidable.
Brahmadatta poses a pointed philosophical challenge: if all beings are inevitably carried toward their end by Time, why do physicians strive to cure? The statement functions as a debate prompt within Śānti Parva’s broader inquiry into causality, duty, and the value of purposeful action.