Shloka 20

अध्याय २२० — बलिवासवसंवादः

Bali–Vāsava Dialogue on Kāla and Steadfastness

Devanagari script

विक्रम्य घोरे तपसि ब्राह्मण: संशितव्रत: । कालाकाड्क्षी चरेललोकान्‌ निरपाय इवात्मवान्‌

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | vikramya ghore tapasi brāhmaṇaḥ saṃśitavrataḥ | kālākāṅkṣī carel lokān nirapāya ivātmavān |

Translation

毗湿摩说道：“愿那誓戒精严的婆罗门，在严酷的苦行中奋力精进。以自我主宰，周行诸世，等待命定之时（死亡），如同超越危厄而住——安定不乱，不为所扰，亦无阻碍。”

Word by Word

• विक्रम्य: having exerted/striven
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-क्रम्
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि

• घोरे: in severe/terrible
• घोरे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• तपसि: in austerity
• तपसि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• ब्राह्मणः: a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• संशितव्रतः: one whose vows are sharpened/firm; of strict vows
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशित-व्रत
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle) + subanta

• कालाकाङ्क्षी: awaiting the (appointed) time (of death)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काल-अकाङ्क्षिन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• चरेत्: should wander
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), present-system, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• लोकान्: worlds/regions; the world
• लोकान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• निरपायः: free from danger/obstacle
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरपाय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• इव: as if/like
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव

• आत्मवान्: self-possessed; disciplined
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मवत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Brahmin (brāhmaṇa)
• kāla (Time/death)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Bhishma teaches that a disciplined Brahmin should commit to intense austerity with firm vows, cultivate self-mastery, and live steadily—moving through life without being shaken by obstacles—while calmly awaiting the inevitable end appointed by Time.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shanti Parva’s dharma instruction, Bhishma is advising on the ideal conduct of a Brahmin/ascetic: rigorous tapas, unwavering observances, and fearless, untroubled wandering through the world with inner composure.