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Shloka 94

ब्राह्मणस्य पूर्वतरा वृत्तिः — The Earlier Ideal Conduct of a Brahmana

River-of-Saṃsāra Metaphor

सूक्ष्माणां महतां चैव भूतानां परिपच्यताम्‌ | “जो कालकी पकड़में आ चुका है, ऐसे किसी भी पुरुषके लिये उससे छूटनेका कोई उपाय नहीं है। सूक्ष्मसे सूक्ष्म और महान्‌ भूत भी कालग्निमें पकाये जा रहे हैं, उनका भी उससे छुटकारा होनेवाला नहीं है | ९३ $ ।।

bhīṣma uvāca | sūkṣmāṇāṃ mahatāṃ caiva bhūtānāṃ paripacyatām | anīśasyāpramattasya bhūtāni pacataḥ sadā ||

毗湿摩说道:“即便最微细者与最伟大者,在被时间‘催熟’(吞噬)之时,也找不到脱身之道。时间——永不懈怠、不可抗拒——不停地‘烹煮’一切众生。”

सूक्ष्माणाम्of subtle (beings/things)
सूक्ष्माणाम्:
Sambandha
TypeAdjective
Rootसूक्ष्म
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
महताम्of great (beings/things)
महताम्:
Sambandha
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
एवindeed/just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
भूतानाम्of beings/creatures/elements
भूतानाम्:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootभूत
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
परिपच्यताम्of those being thoroughly cooked/tormented
परिपच्यताम्:
TypeVerb
Rootपरि + पच्
FormPresent, Atmanepada, Third, Plural, present participle (śatṛ) genitive plural used adjectivally
अनीशस्यof the powerless/helpless (one)
अनीशस्य:
Sambandha
TypeAdjective
Rootअनीश
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
अप्रमत्तस्यof the vigilant/unheedless (one)
अप्रमत्तस्य:
Sambandha
TypeAdjective
Rootअप्रमत्त
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
भूतानिbeings/creatures/elements
भूतानि:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभूत
FormNeuter, Nominative, Plural
पचतःof (him) who cooks/torments
पचतः:
Sambandha
TypeVerb
Rootपच्
Formpresent participle (śatṛ), Masculine, Genitive, Singular
सदाalways
सदा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसदा

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
K
Kāla (Time)
B
bhūta (beings)

Educational Q&A

Time (Kāla) is inescapable: it consumes all beings—subtle or great—without pause. Recognizing this, one should abandon arrogance and live with vigilance, restraint, and dharmic clarity.

In the Shanti Parva’s instruction, Bhishma continues his counsel by emphasizing the overpowering nature of Time. He frames all existence as subject to Kāla’s continual ‘cooking’ (consumption), reinforcing a reflective, ethical outlook rather than attachment to worldly security.