Shloka 14
Śreyas-nirdeśa (Discerning the Superior Good): Nārada–Gālava Saṃvāda
अद्यैव कुरु यच्छेयो मा त्वां कालो5त्यगान्महान् । को हि जानाति कस्याद्य मृत्युकालो भविष्यति
adyaiva kuru yac chreyo mā tvāṁ kālo 'tyagān mahān | ko hi jānāti kasyādya mṛtyu-kālo bhaviṣyati ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Điều gì thật sự đem lại thiện ích tối thượng, hãy làm ngay hôm nay. Đừng để Thời gian hùng mạnh vượt qua ngươi; vì ai biết được hôm nay giờ chết sẽ đến với ai?”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not postpone what is truly beneficial and dharmic. Since life is uncertain and Time is overpowering, one should act promptly in pursuing śreyas (the highest good) rather than delaying for a future that may not arrive.
In the Śānti Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and wise conduct after the war. Here he urges immediate performance of wholesome, welfare-bringing actions, warning that death can come unexpectedly.