Shloka 40
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
चक्ररत्नं तु यत् कृष्णे स्थितमासीन्महात्मनि । गतं तच्च पुनर्हस्ते कालेनैष्यति तस्य ह,“पहले जो चक्ररत्न महात्मा श्रीकृष्णके हाथमें था वह चला गया। वह पुनः समय आनेपर उनके हाथमें जायगा
cakraratnaṃ tu yat kṛṣṇe sthitam āsīn mahātmani | gataṃ tac ca punar haste kālena eṣyati tasya ha ||
चक्ररत्नं तु यत् कृष्णे स्थितमासीन्महात्मनि । गतं तच्च पुनर्हस्ते कालेनैष्यति तस्य ह ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the sovereignty of Kāla (Time) and divine order: sacred power is not merely possessed permanently but moves according to cosmic timing. What departs can return when the ordained moment arrives, reminding readers of impermanence and trust in providential rhythm.
Vaiśampāyana notes that the cakraratna once associated with Kṛṣṇa is no longer present, yet he affirms it will return to Kṛṣṇa’s hand when the right time comes—framing events in the Mahābhārata’s closing movement as governed by Time rather than human control.