Shloka 37
प्रतिग्रहभेदः — The Distinction between Giving and Accepting
Vṛṣādarbhī–Saptarṣi Dialogue
अनुगोप्ता सुगोप्ता च नप्ता चेश्वर एव च । कीर्तितास्ते महाभागा: कालस्य गतिगोचरा:
anugoptā sugoptā ca naptā ceśvara eva ca | kīrtitās te mahābhāgāḥ kālasya gatigocarāḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：“他们被称述为随护之守卫、善护之良卫、后裔之传承者，亦为自在之君主——那些大德之士，其兴起与衰落，皆在时轮之行程之中。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even those praised as ideal protectors, heirs, and sovereign rulers remain within the jurisdiction of Kāla (Time). The verse underscores impermanence and the ethical need for humility in power: governance and lineage are meaningful, yet ultimately conditioned by Time’s unfolding.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction, he characterizes certain eminent figures (spoken of in the surrounding discourse) as exemplary guardians and rulers, while simultaneously reminding the listener that their status and fortunes are still governed by the course of Time.