Shloka 35
श्रेयो-धर्मकर्मविचारः
Inquiry into Śreyas, Dharma, and Karma
गतिं च यां दर्शनमाह देवो गत्वा शुभं दर्शनमेव चापि । गति: पुनर्वर्णकृता प्रजानां वर्णस्तथा कालकृतोडसुरेन्द्र
gatiṃ ca yāṃ darśanam āha devo gatvā śubhaṃ darśanam eva cāpi | gatiḥ punar varṇakṛtā prajānāṃ varṇas tathā kālakṛto ’surendra ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O panginoon ng mga Asura, ang diyos—si Indra, hari ng mga deva—matapos makamit ang mapalad na pangitain (tunay na pag-unawa), ay ipinahayag ang aral hinggil sa ‘pangitain’ at sa ‘landas’ (gati). Ngunit ang mga hantungan ng mga nilalang ay sinasabi ring nakabatay sa varṇa (kulay/uri): tinatamo ng bawat isa ang bungang kaayon ng varṇa nito. At ang varṇa mismo ay sinasabing hinubog ng Panahon (kāla).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ‘gati’ (destiny/attainment) with ‘darśana’ (true philosophical vision) while also stating that beings’ outcomes are described as varṇa-conditioned, and that varṇa itself is produced by Kāla (Time). Ethically, it frames human differences and results as arising from larger causal order rather than mere personal claim, urging humility and discernment.
Bhishma continues an instructive discourse and addresses an ‘Asurendra,’ reporting what a deity taught after attaining an auspicious insight: the doctrine of vision and the path, and how beings’ destinies are spoken of in relation to varṇa, with Time presented as the ultimate maker of that varṇa.