Shloka 47
Adhyātma–Adhibhūta–Adhidaivata Correspondences and the Triguṇa Lakṣaṇas (Śānti-parva 301)
पक्षक्षयं तथा दृष्टवा दिवसानां च संक्षयम् । क्षयं वृद्धि च चन्द्रस्य दृष्टवा प्रत्यक्षतस्तथा
bhīṣma uvāca | pakṣakṣayaṃ tathā dṛṣṭvā divasānāṃ ca saṃkṣayam | kṣayaṃ vṛddhiṃ ca candrasya dṛṣṭvā pratyakṣatas tathā ||
पक्षक्षयं तथा दृष्ट्वा दिवसानां च संक्षयम् । क्षयं वृद्धिं च चन्द्रस्य दृष्ट्वा प्रत्यक्षतस्तथा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Visible cycles—days passing, fortnights ending, and the moon’s waxing and waning—are reminders that time continually consumes all things; therefore one should awaken to impermanence and decide one’s dharma (right course of action) with steadiness and urgency.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising Yudhishthira by pointing to everyday, directly observable natural changes as evidence of time’s relentless movement, using them to motivate ethical resolve and disciplined living.