Shloka 16
कर्मविद्या-भेदः
Karma–Vidyā Distinction: Paths of Bondage and Release
कालो गिरति विज्ञानं कालं॑ बलमिति श्रुति: । बल॑ कालो ग्रसति तु त॑ विद्वान् कुरुते वशे
kālo girati vijñānaṃ kālaṃ bala iti śrutiḥ | balaṃ kālo grasati tu taṃ vidvān kurute vaśe ||
毗耶娑说：时间吞噬辨识之智（vi-jñāna）。传承又宣说：力量能制御时间。然而时间反过来亦吞没力量；故智者当摄伏此力，不令其役使自身。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Time ultimately overcomes both knowledge and power; therefore one should not become arrogant about intellect or strength. The wise cultivate restraint and mastery over power, acting with humility and disciplined judgment in the face of time’s inevitability.
In the didactic discourse of the Śānti Parva, Vyāsa states a hierarchy of forces: time consumes discernment; tradition says strength can subdue time; yet time consumes strength as well. The conclusion urges the listener toward self-mastery—bringing power under control rather than being driven by it.