Shloka 37
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अनुगोप्ता सुगोप्ता च नप्ता चेश्वर एव च । कीर्तितास्ते महाभागा: कालस्य गतिगोचरा:
anugoptā sugoptā ca naptā ceśvara eva ca | kīrtitās te mahābhāgāḥ kālasya gatigocarāḥ ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Mereka telah dihuraikan sebagai pelindung yang menyusul, sebagai penjaga yang unggul, sebagai keturunan, dan juga sebagai tuan yang berdaulat—mereka yang mulia, yang naik dan turunnya berada dalam perjalanan Masa.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even those praised as ideal protectors, heirs, and sovereign rulers remain within the jurisdiction of Kāla (Time). The verse underscores impermanence and the ethical need for humility in power: governance and lineage are meaningful, yet ultimately conditioned by Time’s unfolding.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction, he characterizes certain eminent figures (spoken of in the surrounding discourse) as exemplary guardians and rulers, while simultaneously reminding the listener that their status and fortunes are still governed by the course of Time.