Shloka 35
बलीन्द्रसंवादः — Kāla, Anityatā, and the Limits of Agency
Mahābhārata 12.217
बिसतन्तुर्ययैवायमन्तःस्थ: सर्वतो बिसे | तृष्णातन्तुरनाद्यन्तस्तथा देहगत: सदा,जैसे कमलकी नालमें रहनेवाला तन्तु उसके सभी अंशोंमें फैला रहता है, उसी प्रकार अनादि एवं अनन्त वृष्णातन्तु सदा देहधारीके चित्तमें स्थित रहता है
bisatantur yayaivāyam antaḥsthaḥ sarvato bise | tṛṣṇātantur anādyantaḥ tathā dehāgataḥ sadā ||
Bhishma berkata: Seperti benang halus yang berdiam di dalam tangkai teratai lalu merebak ke seluruh serabut teratai, demikian juga benang keinginan—tanpa awal dan tanpa akhir—sentiasa bersemayam dalam diri yang berjasad, meresapi minda dan kehidupan batin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Desire (tṛṣṇā) is subtle yet pervasive—like a hidden filament running through a lotus-stalk—and it continuously inhabits the embodied mind. Recognizing its all-pervading presence is essential for restraint, ethical clarity, and progress toward freedom from bondage.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on peace and right living, Bhishma teaches through a vivid natural metaphor. He explains to his listener that craving is not occasional or external; it is an inner thread spread throughout the embodied condition, shaping thought and conduct unless disciplined.