Shloka 24
Draupadī’s Lament and the Question of Kṣatriya Forbearance (द्रौपद्याः शोकप्रलापः क्षमानिर्णयश्च)
काले मृदुर्यो भवति काले भवति दारुण: । स वै सुखमवाप्रोति लोकेअ<मुष्मिन्निहैव च,जो मौका देखकर कोमल होता है और उपयुक्त अवसर आनेपर भयंकर भी बन जाता है, वही इहलोक और परलोकमें सुख पाता है
kāle mṛdur yo bhavati kāle bhavati dāruṇaḥ | sa vai sukham avāpnoti loke ’muṣminn ihaiva ca ||
Sinabi ni Prahlāda: Ang marunong maging banayad kapag panahon ng pagbanayad, at nagiging mabagsik kapag hinihingi ng pagkakataon ang higpit—siya ang nagkakamit ng kaginhawahan kapwa sa mundong ito at sa daigdig na darating.
प्रह्माद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches situational wisdom: a dharmic person knows when to be gentle and when to be stern. Such balanced conduct—neither constant softness nor constant harshness—leads to welfare in both this life and the next.
Prahlāda is presenting a moral principle in the form of counsel: effective and righteous conduct depends on timing and appropriateness—gentleness for suitable moments and severity when circumstances require decisive action.