Shloka 21
आपद्धर्मे राज्ञः नीतिः — Bharadvāja’s Counsel on Crisis-Statecraft (Śānti Parva 138)
काष्ठा: कला मुहूर्ताश्न दिवा रात्रिस्तथा लवा: । मासा: पक्षा: षड़ ऋतव: कल्प: संवत्सरास्तथा
kāṣṭhāḥ kalā muhūrtāś ca divā rātris tathā lavāḥ | māsāḥ pakṣāḥ ṣaḍ ṛtavaḥ kalpaḥ saṃvatsarās tathā ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Ang kāṣṭhā, kalā, muhūrta, araw at gabi, at lava; mga buwan, mga kalahating-buwan, ang anim na panahon, ang kalpa, at ang mga taon—lahat ng ito ay tinatawag na ‘Panahon’ (kāla). Ang daigdig naman ay tinatawag na ‘Lugar’ (deśa). Sa dalawang ito, ang lugar ay nakikita, ngunit ang panahon ay hindi. Kaya, upang magtagumpay ang ninanais na layon, dapat kilatising mabuti at piliin ang angkop na lugar at ang angkop na oras, ayon sa tunay na kapakinabangan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Time consists of many measurable divisions—from tiny instants up to cosmic cycles—yet it is not directly visible, unlike place. Hence, ethical and effective action requires careful discernment of the proper time and place suited to one’s intended goal.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues advising on wise conduct by defining ‘time’ through its traditional divisions and contrasting it with ‘place,’ emphasizing practical judgment in choosing the right context for action.