Shloka 1
प्रजाविसर्ग-तत्त्वनिर्णयः | Cosmogony of Elemental Emergence
Bharadvāja–Bhṛgu Dialogue
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके ३ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ६६ श्लोक हैं) अपने-आप बछ। सं: पजञज्चसप्तत्याधेकशततमो< ध्याय: अपने कल्याणकी इच्छा रखनेवाले पुरुषका क्या कर्तव्य है
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
atikrāmati kāle 'smin sarvabhūtakṣayāvahe |
kiṃ śreyaḥ pratipadyeta tan me brūhi pitāmaha ||
尤提施提罗说道：“祖父啊，此‘时’（Time）能摧灭一切众生，却仍不停流逝。处在这般境况之中，人当依何道而行，方能得至上之善？请为我开示。”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames the central ethical-spiritual problem: since Time inevitably carries all beings toward destruction, one should seek śreyas—enduring welfare rather than merely transient gains—by adopting the right course of dharma and inner discipline, as will be explained by Bhīṣma in the ensuing instruction.
In the Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, King Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīṣma as ‘Grandfather’ and asks for guidance: with life rapidly passing under the power of Time, what path should a person choose to secure true well-being.