Shloka 95
Nāgendra–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda: Praśna-vidhi and Dharmic Approach on the Gomatī Riverbank
अयं हि नित्य: परमो महर्षि- महाविभूतिर्गुणवर्जिताख्य: । गुणैश्व संयोगमुपैति शीघ्र कालो यथर्तावृतुसम्प्रयुक्त:
ayaṁ hi nityaḥ paramo maharṣiḥ mahāvibhūtir guṇavarjitākhyaḥ | guṇaiś ca saṁyogam upaiti śīghraṁ kālo yathartāv ṛtusamprayuktaḥ ||
毗舍摩耶那说：“祂恒常不变——至上的大圣仙——威德广大，被称为超越诸‘德性’（guṇa）者。然而祂又迅速与诸德性相应，正如时间本无自性，却在时序之中与四时之性相连。亦复如是，纳罗延那虽恒超然，仍于适当之时摄受诸德性之相，以成就世界之秩序。”
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the Supreme (Nārāyaṇa) is intrinsically beyond the guṇas, yet can voluntarily associate with them for cosmic governance—like Time, which is itself quality-less but appears qualified through seasonal conditions. This preserves both transcendence (nirguṇatva) and purposeful immanence (līlā/administration of the world).
Vaiśaṃpāyana is explaining a doctrinal point in Śānti Parva: the nature of the Supreme as eternally transcendent, while still capable of manifesting within the world by taking up guṇic modes when required, illustrated through the analogy of Time’s relation to the seasons.