Shloka 4
Kuru Prosperity under Bhīṣma and the Succession of Pāṇḍu (कुरुराष्ट्रसमृद्धिः पाण्डुराज्यप्राप्तिश्च)
अप्राप्तवति तस्मिंस्तु यौवन पुरुषर्षभे । स राजा शान्तनुर्धीमान् कालधर्ममुपेयिवान्,नरश्रेष्ठ विचित्रवीर्य अभी यौवनको प्राप्त भी नहीं हुए थे कि बुद्धिमान् महाराज शान्तनुकी मृत्यु हो गयी
aprāptavati tasmiṃs tu yauvana-puruṣarṣabhe | sa rājā śāntanur dhīmān kāla-dharmam upeyivān, naraśreṣṭha ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Quando aquele touro entre os homens ainda não havia alcançado a juventude, o sábio rei Śāntanu encontrou a lei do Tempo — faleceu. Assim, antes que Vicitravīrya chegasse à idade adulta, o reino ficou sem seu protetor reinante, e o peso da sucessão e do dever recaiu sobre os anciãos e guardiões.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the wisest and most powerful are subject to kāla-dharma—the inevitable order of Time. The verse underscores impermanence and the dharmic urgency of preparing for succession and responsibility before unforeseen loss occurs.
Vaiśampāyana states that before Vicitravīrya had reached youth, King Śāntanu died. This sets the stage for a succession crisis and the need for guardianship and political-dharmic decisions in the Kuru lineage.