Shloka 28
Śaraṇāgatapālana—Prastāvanā
Protection of the Refuge-Seeker: Opening of the Kapota Narrative
Devanagari script
देशकालौ समासाद्य विक्रमेत विचक्षण: । देशकालव्यतीतो हि विक्रमो निष्फलो भवेत्
Transliteration
deśakālau samāsādya vikrameta vicakṣaṇaḥ | deśakālavyatīto hi vikramo niṣphalo bhavet ||
Translation
毗湿摩说道：“明智之人，当在得其地、得其时之后，方可奋发其勇。若不顾地与时而逞勇——失其时宜、乖其境况——终归徒劳无功。”
Word by Word
देशplace/country
देश:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदेश
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
कालौtwo (factors): time (and with देश, place and time)
कालौ:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकाल
FormMasculine, Accusative, Dual
समासाद्यhaving approached/obtained
समासाद्य:
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-आ-√सद्
Formल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage), Non-finite
विक्रमेतshould exert/act with valor
विक्रमेत:
TypeVerb
Rootवि-√क्रम्
FormVidhi-linga (optative), Present-system, Third, Singular, Atmanepada
विचक्षणःwise/discerning (person)
विचक्षणः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootविचक्षण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
देशplace
देश:
TypeNoun
Rootदेश
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
कालtime
काल:
TypeNoun
Rootकाल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
व्यतीतःhaving transgressed/ignoring; not in accordance with
व्यतीतः:
TypeAdjective
Rootवि-अति-√इ (व्येति) / व्यतीत
Formक्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular
हिindeed/for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
विक्रमःvalor/effort
विक्रमः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootविक्रम
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
निष्फलःfruitless
निष्फलः:
TypeAdjective
Rootनिष्फल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
भवेत्would be/should become
भवेत्:
TypeVerb
Root√भू
FormVidhi-linga (optative), Present-system, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhīṣmaCharacter Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Effective and ethical action requires discernment about context: one should act bravely only when place and time are suitable; otherwise even great effort becomes ineffective.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction to Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma continues giving practical dharma and rājadharma counsel, emphasizing strategic prudence—choosing the right moment and setting before exerting force or initiative.