Shloka 41
धर्म: कामश्न कालश्च वसुर्वासुकिरेव च । अनन्त: कपिलश्नैव सप्तैते धरणीधरा:,धर्म, काम, काल, वसु, वासुकि, अनन्त और कपिल--ये सात पृथ्वीको धारण करनेवाले हैं
dharmaḥ kāmaś ca kālaś ca vasur vāsukir eva ca | anantaḥ kapilaś caiva saptaite dharaṇīdharāḥ ||
Bhishma berkata: “Dharma, Kāma, dan Kāla, bersama Vasu, Vāsuki, Ananta, dan Kapila—tujuh inilah para pemikul yang menegakkan bumi.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the stability of the world rests on both moral principles and cosmic powers: dharma (righteous order), kāma (regulated desire), and kāla (time) function alongside mythic supporters like Vāsuki and Ananta. Ethical life is implied as part of what ‘upholds the earth’—not merely physical strength but sustaining order.
Bhīṣma is enumerating a traditional set of seven ‘earth-bearers’ (dharaṇīdharāḥ). In the Anuśāsana context, such lists support instruction on dharma by linking moral principles with cosmic structure, showing how the universe is maintained through ordained forces and norms.