12.135
Bhīṣma said.
If you are undistracted right here, listen to this unsurpassed narrative, which, by resorting to a detailed explanation, determines what is duty and what is not.
O son of Kunti, in a not very deep pond, three fish who were friends lived together among many other fish.
Here, among the three water-dwellers, one is a knower of the right time and far-sighted, another is a procrastinator.
Once, the fishermen all around caused the water-dwelling creature to be drained out into the low places through various openings.
But then, the farsighted one, having understood that he was being diminished, dwelling in water at the coming of danger, spoke to those two friends.
This calamity has arisen for all the water-dwellers. Let us quickly go elsewhere before the path is ruined.
He who, by good policies, prevents misfortune before it arrives, never falls into doubt. Let us go to what pleases you both.
But as for the procrastinator there, he is said to have spoken properly. However, one should not act with haste as long as this is my determined thought.
Then the one who understood the proper procedure said to the farsighted person: "When the time comes, nothing of mine will be rightly ridiculed."
Thus addressed, the far-seeing and wise one departed; he went by a single current to the deep reservoir of water.
Then, seeing that the water-reservoir was overflowing, the fishermen caught the fishes there by various methods.
While the reservoir of water was being agitated, the procrastinator, along with others, did not manage to catch anything there.
Seeing the fishes being lifted with ropes, the discerning one entered inside the others and ate.
He, having seized that summary, remained just so. But there, they knew all those to be bound thus.
Then, as the fishes were being washed in the clear water, he let go of the rope and was quickly freed, regaining his composure.
But the procrastinator, dull-minded, lacking intellect and awareness, is as good as dead, just like one whose senses are impaired.
He who, out of delusion, does not recognize the time when it has fully arrived, perishes quickly, just as a procrastinator perishes like a fish.
A man who, thinking 'I am skilled,' does not perform a good deed at the outset, attains doubt, just like one who truly understands.
A man who prudently plans for the future attains great prosperity, just like one who is truly far-sighted.
Parts of time, kāṣṭhās, muhūrtas, days, nāḍis, moments, instants, fortnights, months, seasons, and years are all equal (in their respective measures).
The earth is called a region, but time is not seen. For the accomplishment of the intended purpose, whatever is according to rule, that is so.
These two are regarded as principal in the treatises on dharma, artha, and mokṣa, and are declared so by the sages as being desirable for men who seek pleasure.
But a person who acts after careful examination, being properly engaged, should accomplish the task correctly. When the place and time are appropriate, he will obtain the desired result from them.
