Shloka 21
प्रजाविसर्ग-तत्त्वनिर्णयः | Cosmogony of Elemental Emergence
Bharadvāja–Bhṛgu Dialogue
कृतानां फलमप्राप्तं कर्मणां कर्मसंज्ञितम् । क्षेत्रापणगृहासक्तं मृत्युरादाय गच्छति
kṛtānāṃ phalam aprāptaṃ karmaṇāṃ karmasaṃjñitam | kṣetrāpaṇagṛhāsaktaṃ mṛtyur ādāya gacchati ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—କରା କର୍ମର ଫଳ ଅନେକଥର ଅପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ରହିଯାଏ; ମଣିଷ ଯାହାକୁ ‘କାମ’ ବୋଲି କହେ ସେଥିରେ ମଗ୍ନ ରହେ—ଖେତ, ଦୋକାନ ଓ ଘରରେ ଆସକ୍ତ—ଏବଂ ତା’ପୂର୍ବରୁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ଆସି ତାକୁ ଉଠାଇ ନେଇଯାଏ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Worldly projects and possessions can keep one absorbed, yet death may arrive before any ‘fruit’ is enjoyed; therefore one should reduce attachment, act with dharma, and prioritize what remains meaningful beyond uncertain lifespan.
In the Śānti Parva instruction, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on right living: he depicts an ordinary person bound to farm, trade, and household concerns, and personified Death abruptly taking him away before his efforts yield results.