Shloka 923
ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana
River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor
कालाग्नावाहितं घोरे गुह्दे सततगेक्षरे । “मैं भी इसी प्रकार सर्वव्यापी, अविनाशी, घोर एवं गुह्य कालाग्निमें पड़े हुए इस जगत्को क्षणभंगुर ही जानता हूँ
kālāgnāvāhitaṃ ghore guhye satatagekṣare |
कालाग्नावाहितं घोरे गुह्ये सततगेक्षरे। अहम् अपि तथा सर्वव्यापिनि अविनाशिनि घोरे गुह्ये कालाग्नौ पतितं जगत् क्षणभङ्गुरमेव जानामि॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the world is kṣaṇabhaṅgura—fleeting and fragile—because it is continually consumed by Kāla (Time), envisioned as a dreadful, hidden fire. Ethical life therefore requires non-attachment to transient gains and steadiness in dharma.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues his philosophical counsel, reflecting on Time’s all-consuming power and urging a sober understanding of worldly impermanence.