Shloka 31
Adhyāya 199: Karma–Jñāna Causality and the Nirguṇa Brahman
Manu’s Instruction
काल उवाच यथावदस्य जप्यस्य फल प्राप्तमनुत्तमम् । कालस्ते स्वर्गमारोढुं कालो<हं त्वामुपागत:
kāla uvāca yathāvad asya japyasya phalaṃ prāptam anuttamam | kālas te svargam āroḍhuṃ kālo 'haṃ tvām upāgataḥ ||
काल उवाच—यथावदस्य जप्यस्य फलम् प्राप्तमनुत्तमम्। कालस्ते स्वर्गमारोढुं कालोऽहं त्वामुपागतः॥
काल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Properly performed sacred recitation (japa) yields a supreme spiritual result, but even that fruition unfolds within the governance of Kāla (Time). Merit ripens when the destined moment arrives, reminding one to practice dharma steadily without attachment to timing.
Kāla personified addresses the practitioner, affirming that the prescribed recitation has borne its highest fruit and declaring that the appointed time has come for the person to ascend to heaven; Time itself has arrived to lead the transition.