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 ||
Бхишма сказал: «Их описали как защитников, следующих вослед, как превосходных стражей, как потомков и также как владык-суверенов — тех славных, чьё возвышение и падение заключены в течении Времени».
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.