12.220
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
magnasya vyasane kṛcchre kiṃ śreyaḥ puruṣasya hi। bandhunaśe mahīpāla rājyanaśe'pi vā punaḥ ॥12-220-1॥
O king, when a man is immersed in calamity and difficulty, what benefit can there be for him, whether he loses his relatives or even his kingdom again?
tvaṃ hi naḥ paramo vaktā loke'smin bharatarṣabha। etad bhavantaṃ pṛcchāmi tan me vaktum ihārhasi ॥12-220-2॥
You truly are the foremost speaker in this world, O best of the Bharatas. Therefore, I ask you this; please tell me this here.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
putradāraiḥ sukhaiz caiva viyuktasya dhanena ca। magnasya vyasane kṛcchre dhṛtiḥ śreyaskarī nṛpa ॥12-220-3॥
O king, for one who is separated from sons, wives, pleasures, and wealth, and who is immersed in great calamity, fortitude is the most beneficial.
dhairyeṇa yuktasya sataḥ śarīraṃ na viśīryate। ārogyācca śarīrasya sa punarvindate śriyam ॥12-220-4॥
The body of a virtuous person endowed with courage does not perish. Through bodily health, he regains prosperity.
yasya rājño narāstāt sāttvikīṃ vṛttim āsthitāḥ। tasya sthairyaṃ ca dhairyaṃ ca vyavasāyaś ca karmasu ॥12-220-5॥
O dear, when the king's men adopt a virtuous (sattvic) conduct, then his steadfastness, courage, and resolve in actions are assured.
atraivodāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। balivāsavasaṃvādaṃ punareva yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-220-6॥
Right here, O Yudhiṣṭhira, they recount this ancient story: the conversation between Bali and Indra, once again.
vṛtte devāsure yuddhe daityadānavasaṅkṣaye। viṣṇukrānteṣu lokeṣu devarāje śatakratau ॥12-220-7॥
When the battle between the gods and asuras had taken place, and the Daityas and Dānavas were destroyed, in the worlds traversed by Viṣṇu, Indra, the king of the gods, (prevailed).
ijyamāneṣu deveṣu cāturvarṇye vyavasthite। samṛdhyamāne trailokye prītiyukte svayambhuvi॥12-220-8॥
When the gods were worshipped, the fourfold social order was established, the three worlds flourished, and Brahmā himself was filled with joy.
rudrair vasubhir ādityair aśvibhyām api ca ṛṣibhiḥ। gandharvair bhujagendraiś ca siddhaiś ca anyair vṛtaḥ prabhuḥ॥12-220-9॥
The Lord was surrounded by the Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, the two Aśvins, sages, Gandharvas, lords of serpents, Siddhas, and others.
caturdantaṃ sudāntaṃ ca vāraṇendraṃ śriyā vṛtam। āruhya airāvataṃ śakraḥ trailokyam anusam-yayau ॥12-220-10॥
Indra, having ascended Airavata, the splendid, four-tusked, well-tamed lord of elephants, traversed the three worlds.
sa kadācitsamudrānte kasmiṃścidgirigahvare। baliṃ vairocaniṃ vajrī dadarśopasasarpa ca ॥12-220-11॥
Once, at the end of the ocean, in a certain mountain-cave, the wielder of the thunderbolt saw and approached Bali, the son of Virocana.
tamairāvatamūrdhasthaṃ prekṣya devagaṇairvṛtam। surendramindraṃ daityendro na śuśoca na vivyathe ॥12-220-12॥
When the lord of the Daityas saw Indra, standing atop Airāvata and surrounded by the hosts of gods, he neither felt sorrow nor was shaken.
dṛṣṭvā tam avikārasthaṃ tiṣṭhantaṃ nirbhayaṃ balim | adhirūḍho dvipaśreṣṭham ity uvāca śatakratuḥ ||12-220-13||
Seeing Bali standing unshaken and fearless, Indra, mounted on the best of elephants, spoke these words.
daitya na vyathase śauryād atha vā vṛddhasevayā| tapasā bhāvitatvād vā sarvathaitat suduṣkaram ॥12-220-14॥
O demon, you are not shaken by valor, nor by serving elders, nor by austerity or spiritual cultivation; in every way, this is extremely difficult.
śatrubhir vaśam ānīto hīnaḥ sthānād anuttamāt। vairocane kim āśritya śocitavye na śocasi॥12-220-15॥
O son of Virocana, having been brought under the control of enemies and deprived of your unsurpassed position, what support do you rely on that you do not grieve in a situation that calls for sorrow?
śraiṣṭhyaṃ prāpya svajātīnām bhuktvā bhogān anuttamān। hṛtasvabalarājyas tvaṃ brūhi kasmān na śocasi॥12-220-16॥
After attaining supremacy among your own people and enjoying the highest pleasures, now that your strength and kingdom have been taken away, tell me, why do you not grieve?
īśvaro hi purā bhūtvā pitṛpaitāmahe pade। tattvam adya hṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā sapatnaiḥ kiṃ na śocasi ॥12-220-17॥
Once you were indeed the lord, occupying the position of your father and grandfather; now, seeing that position taken away by rivals, why do you not grieve?
baddhaś ca vāruṇaiḥ pāśair vajreṇa ca samāhataḥ। hṛtadāro hṛtadhano brūhi kasmān na śocasi॥12-220-18॥
You are bound by Varuṇa's nooses and struck by the thunderbolt; your wife and wealth have been taken away—tell me, why do you not grieve?
bhraṣṭaśrīr vibhavabhraṣṭo yanna śocasi duṣkaram। trailokyarājyanāśe hi ko'anyo jīvitum utsaheta ॥12-220-19॥
It is difficult not to grieve when one has lost both fortune and wealth. Truly, when the sovereignty of all three worlds is destroyed, who else could endure to live?
etaccānyacca paruṣaṃ bruvantaṃ paribhūya tam। śrutvā sukhamasambhrānto balirvairocano'bravīt ॥12-220-20॥
Having calmly and unagitatedly heard him speaking these and other harsh words, Bali, the son of Virocana, spoke.
nigṛhīte mayi bhṛśaṃ śakra kiṃ katthitena te। vajramudyamya tiṣṭhantaṃ paśyāmi tvāṃ puraṃdara ॥12-220-21॥
O Śakra, since I have been greatly restrained, what is the use of your boasting? I see you, O Purandara, standing with the thunderbolt raised.
aśaktaḥ pūrvam āsīs tvaṃ kathaṃcit śaktatāṃ gataḥ। kas tvad anya imā vācaḥ sukrūrā vaktum arhati॥12-220-22॥
You were powerless before, but somehow you have gained strength. Who else but you could be worthy to utter such harsh words?
yastu śatrorvaśasthasya śakto'pi kurute dayām। hastaprāptasya vīrasya taṃ caiva puruṣaṃ viduḥ ॥12-220-23॥
But he who, though capable, shows compassion to an enemy in his power—him, who has come within the grasp of a hero, they indeed recognize as a true man.
aniścayo hi yuddheṣu dvayor vivadamānayoḥ। ekaḥ prāpnoti vijayam ekaś caiva parābhavam ॥12-220-24॥
There is always uncertainty in battles between two disputants; one attains victory, and the other indeed meets defeat.
mā ca te bhūtsvabhāvo'yaṃ mayā daivatapuṅgava। īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ vikrameṇa jito balāt ॥12-220-25॥
Do not let this be your nature, O foremost of the gods. The lord of all beings has been conquered by prowess and by force.
naitadasmatkṛtaṃ śakra naitacchakra tvayā kṛtam। yattvamevaṅgato vajrinyadvāpyevaṅgatā vayam ॥12-220-26॥
O Śakra, this was not done by us, nor was this done by you. Whether you have gone thus, O wielder of the thunderbolt, or we have gone thus.
aham āsaṃ yathā adya tvaṃ bhavitā tvaṃ yathā vayam। mā avamaṃsthā mayā karma duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam iti uta ॥12-220-27॥
I was once as you are today; you will become as we are. Do not look down upon the evil act I have done, thus indeed.
sukhaduḥkhe hi puruṣaḥ paryāyeṇādhigacchati। paryāyeṇāsi śakratvaṃ prāptaḥ śakra na karmaṇā ॥12-220-28॥
A person experiences both happiness and sorrow in succession. In the same way, O Śakra, you have attained the position of Indra not through your actions.
kālaḥ kāle nayati māṃ tvāṃ ca kālo nayatyayam। tenāhaṃ tvaṃ yathā nādya tvaṃ cāpi na yathā vayam ॥12-220-29॥
Time, in due course, leads me and you; time leads this one as well. Therefore, I am not as I was today, nor are you as we were.
na mātṛpitṛśuśrūṣā na ca daivatapūjanam। nānyo guṇasamācāraḥ puruṣasya sukhāvahaḥ ॥12-220-30॥
Neither service to parents, nor worship of deities, nor any other virtuous conduct brings true happiness to a person.
na vidyā na tapo dānaṃ na mitrāṇi na bāndhavāḥ। śaknuvanti paritrātuṃ naraṃ kālena pīḍitam ॥12-220-31॥
Neither knowledge, nor austerity, nor charity, nor friends, nor relatives can save a man who is afflicted by fate.
nāgāminamanarthaṃ hi pratighātaśatairapi। śaknuvanti prativyoḍhumṛte buddhibalānnarāḥ ॥12-220-32॥
Men cannot withstand future misfortune, even with hundreds of obstacles, unless they have the strength of intellect.
paryāyair hanyamānānāṃ paritrātā na vidyate। idaṃ tu duḥkhaṃ yac chakra kartāham iti manyate ॥12-220-33॥
There is no protector for those who are being killed in turns. This suffering, O Śakra, is because one thinks, 'I am the doer.'
yadi kartā bhavetkartā na kriyeta kadācana। yasmāttu kriyate kartā tasmātkartāpyanīśvaraḥ ॥12-220-34॥
If the agent were truly the agent, action would never occur. But since the agent is made to act, therefore the agent too is not independent.
kālena tvāhamajayaṃ kālenāhaṃ jitastvayā। gantā gatimatāṃ kālaḥ kālaḥ kalayati prajāḥ ॥12-220-35॥
By time I conquered you, and by time I was conquered by you. Time moves on for the swift; time counts all creatures.
indra prākṛtayā buddhyā pralapannāvabudhyase। kecittvāṃ bahu manyante śraiṣṭhyaṃ prāptaṃ svakarmaṇā ॥12-220-36॥
O Indra, speaking with a natural intellect, you think you understand; some consider you to have attained great superiority by your own actions.
katham asmad-vidho nāma jānan loka-pravṛttayaḥ। kālena abhyāhataḥ śocet muhyet vā api artha-sambhrame ॥12-220-37॥
How could someone like me, who knows the ways of the world, truly grieve or become confused about purpose, even when afflicted by time?
nityaṃ kālaparītasya mama vā madvidhasya vā। buddhirvyasanamāsādya bhinnā nauriva sīdati ॥12-220-38॥
For one afflicted by time, whether it is me or someone like me, the intellect, when struck by misfortune, sinks like a broken boat.
ahaṃ ca tvaṃ ca ye ca anye bhaviṣyanti surādhipāḥ। te sarve śakra yāsyanti mārgam indraśatair gatam ॥12-220-39॥
O Śakra, I, you, and all the other future lords of the gods will all follow the path that hundreds of Indras have already taken.
tvām apy evaṃ sudurdharṣaṃ jvalantaṃ parayā śriyā। kāle pariṇate kālaḥ kālayiṣyati mām iva॥12-220-40॥
Even you, who are so difficult to overcome and blazing with supreme splendor, when the time is ripe, time will bring to an end, just as it did to me.
bahūnīndrasahasrāṇi daiteyānāṃ yuge yuge। abhyatītāni kālena kālo hi duratikramaḥ ॥12-220-41॥
In every age, countless Indras among the Daiteyas have passed away, for time is truly insurmountable.
idaṃ tu labdhvā tvaṃ sthānam ātmānaṃ bahu manyase। sarvabhūtabhavaṃ devaṃ brahmāṇam iva śāśvatam ॥12-220-42॥
But having attained this position, you think highly of yourself, as if you were the eternal Brahmā, the god who is the source of all beings.
na cedam acalaṃ sthānam anantaṃ vāpi kasyacit। tvaṃ tu bāliśayā buddhyā mamedam iti manyase ॥12-220-43॥
If this immovable place is not endless or does not belong to anyone, still, with childish understanding, you think, 'this is mine.'
aviśvāsye viśvasiṣi manyase cādhruvaṃ dhruvam। mameyamiti mohāttvaṃ rājaśriyamabhīpsasi ॥12-220-44॥
You trust what is unreliable, and consider the impermanent to be permanent; out of delusion, thinking 'this is mine', you desire royal prosperity.
neyaṃ tava na cāsmākaṃ na cānyeṣāṃ sthirā matā। atikramya bahūnanyāṃstvayi tāvadiyaṃ sthitā ॥12-220-45॥
This opinion is not firmly held by you, nor by us, nor by others; having surpassed many others, for now this remains with you.
kañcitkālamiyaṃ sthitvā tvayi vāsava cañcalā। gaurnipānamivotsṛjya punaranyaṃ gamiṣyati ॥12-220-46॥
O Indra, this fickle one, after staying with you for a while, will, like a cow leaving a watering place, abandon you and go to another again.
rājalokā hyatikrāntā yānna saṅkhyātumutsahe। tvatto bahutarāścānye bhaviṣyanti puraṃdara ॥12-220-47॥
Countless royal persons have indeed passed away before, O Indra, and in the future, there will be many more than you.
savṛkṣauṣadhiratneyaṃ sasaritparvatākarā। tānidānīṃ na paśyāmi yairbhukteyaṃ purā mahī ॥12-220-48॥
I no longer see the trees, herbs, gems, rivers, mountains, and mines on this earth, which were once enjoyed by those people in the past.
pṛthurailo mayo bhaumo narakaḥ śambarastathā। aśvagrīvaḥ pulomā ca svarbhānuramita-dhvajaḥ ॥12-220-49॥
Pṛthu, Aila, Maya, Bhauma, Naraka, Śambara, Aśvagrīva, Pulomā, Svarbhānu, and Amita-dhvaja were also present.
prahrādo namucir dakṣo vipracittir virocanaḥ। hrīniṣedhaḥ suhotraś ca bhūrihā puṣpavān vṛṣaḥ ॥12-220-50॥
Prahrāda, Namuci, Dakṣa, Vipracitti, Virocana, Hrīniṣedha, Suhotra, Bhūrihā, Puṣpavān, and Vṛṣa.
satyeṣurṛṣabho rāhuḥ kapilāśvo virūpakaḥ। bāṇaḥ kārtasvaro vahnirviśvadaṃṣṭro'tha nairṛtaḥ ॥12-220-51॥
Among the truthful, the bull, Rahu, the one with tawny horses, the deformed one, Bana, Kārtasvara, fire, the one with universal fangs, and then Nairrita.
ritthāhutthau vīratāmrāu varāhāśvo ruciḥ prabhuḥ। viśvajitpratiśauriśca vṛṣāṇḍo viṣkaro madhuḥ॥12-220-52॥
Rittha and Ahuttha, Vīra and Tāmra, Varāha and Aśva, Ruci, the lord, Viśvajit, Pratiśauri, Vṛṣāṇḍa, Viṣkara, and Madhu.
hiraṇyakaśipuścaiva kaiṭabhaścaiva dānavaḥ। daityāśca kālakhañjāśca sarve te nairṛtaiḥ saha ॥12-220-53॥
Hiraṇyakaśipu, Kaiṭabha, the Dānava, the Daityas, the Kālakhañjas, and all of them together with the Nairṛtas.
ete cānye ca bahavaḥ pūrve pūrvatarāś ca ye। daityendrā dānavendrāś ca yāṃś cānyān anuśuśruma ॥12-220-54॥
We have heard of these and many others, both former and still earlier, the lords of the Daityas and Dānavas, and others as well.
bahavaḥ pūrvadaityendrāḥ santyajya pṛthivīṃ gatāḥ। kālenābhyāhatāḥ sarve kālo hi balavattaraḥ ॥12-220-55॥
Many former Daitya kings abandoned the earth and departed; all were overcome by time, for time is indeed the strongest force.
sarvaiḥ kratuśatairiṣṭaṃ na tvamekaḥ śatakratuḥ। sarve dharmaparāścāsansarve satatasatriṇaḥ ॥12-220-56॥
It was not only you, O Indra, who offered hundreds of sacrifices; all were devoted to dharma and all were constant performers of sacrifices.
antarikṣacarāḥ sarve sarve'bhimukhayodhinaḥ। sarve saṃhananopetāḥ sarve parighabāhavaḥ ॥12-220-57॥
All of them move through the sky, all are warriors who face their enemies directly, all possess strong and compact bodies, and all have arms like iron clubs.
sarve māyāśatadharāḥ sarve te kāmacāriṇaḥ। sarve samaram āsādya na śrūyante parājitāḥ ॥12-220-58॥
All those who possess a hundred illusions, all those who move according to desire, none of them, having entered the battle, are heard to have been defeated.
sarve satyavrataparāḥ sarve kāmavihāriṇaḥ। sarve vedavrataparāḥ sarve cāsanbahuśrutāḥ ॥12-220-59॥
All were devoted to truth and vows, all enjoyed pleasures. All were devoted to Vedic vows, and all were learned in many scriptures.
sarve saṃhatamaiśvaryam īśvarāḥ pratipedire। na ca aiśvaryamadaḥ teṣām bhūtapūrvaḥ mahātmanām ॥12-220-60॥
All the lords attained united sovereignty. Among those great souls, there had never previously been any arrogance born of sovereignty.
sarve yathārthadātāraḥ sarve vigatamatsarāḥ। sarve sarveṣu bhūteṣu yathāvatpratipedire ॥12-220-61॥
All were true givers, all were without envy. All behaved towards all beings as was appropriate.
sarve dākṣāyaṇīputrāḥ prājāpatyā mahābalāḥ। jvalantaḥ pratapantaś ca kālena pratisaṃhṛtāḥ ॥12-220-62॥
All the mighty sons of Dākṣāyaṇī, descendants of Prajāpati, who were blazing and burning, were ultimately withdrawn by time.
tvaṃ caivemāṃ yadā bhuktvā pṛthivīṃ tyakṣyase punaḥ। na śakṣyasi tadā śakra niyantuṃ śokamātmanaḥ ॥12-220-63॥
O Śakra, when you have enjoyed this earth and must abandon it again, then you will not be able to restrain your own sorrow.
muñcechchhāṃ kāmabhogeṣu muñcemaṃ śrībhavaṃ madam। evaṃ svarājyanāśe tvaṃ śokaṃ samprasahiṣyasi ॥12-220-64॥
Give up desire for sensual pleasures and this pride born of prosperity. In this way, when you lose your own kingdom, you will be able to bear the sorrow.
śokakāle śuco mā tvaṃ harṣakāle ca mā hṛṣaḥ। atītānāgate hitvā pratyutpannena vartaya ॥12-220-65॥
Do not grieve in times of sorrow, nor exult in times of joy. Let go of the past and the future, and live in the present.
māṃ ced abhyāgataḥ kālaḥ sadāyuktam atandritam। kṣamasva nacirād indra tvām api upagamiṣyati ॥12-220-66॥
If the destined time, ever engaged and untiring, has come to me, forgive me, O Indra; before long, it will come to you as well.
trāsayanniva devendra vāgbhistakṣasi mām iha। saṃyate mayi nūnaṃ tvam ātmānaṃ bahu manyase॥12-220-67॥
O Indra of the gods, you seem to be tormenting me here with words as if to frighten me; since I am self-restrained, you surely think highly of yourself.
kālaḥ prathamam āyān māṃ paścāt tvām anudhāvati। tena garjasi devendra pūrvaṃ kāla-hate mayi ॥12-220-68॥
Time first approached me, and then pursues you. Because of that, O Indra of the gods, you boast now, but earlier, when I was struck down by time.
ko hi sthātum alaṃ loke kruddhasya mama saṃyuge। kālas tu balavān prāptas tena tiṣṭhasi vāsava ॥12-220-69॥
Who in this world can stand against me when I am enraged in battle? Yet, O Vāsava, it is because the powerful force of time has arrived that you are able to stand.
yattad-varṣa-sahasrāntaṃ pūrṇaṃ bhavitum arhati। yathā me sarva-gātrāṇi na sva-sthāni hata-ojasaḥ ॥12-220-70॥
That which deserves to be completed at the end of a thousand years, just as all my limbs, with their strength destroyed, are not in their own place.
aham aindraś cyutaḥ sthānāt tvam indraḥ prakṛto divi। sucitre jīvaloke'smin upāsyaḥ kālaparyayāt ॥12-220-71॥
I have fallen from the position of Indra, and you have been appointed as Indra in heaven; in this beautiful world of living beings, you are to be worshipped as time changes.
kiṁ hi kṛtvā tvam indro 'dya kiṁ hi kṛtvā cyutā vayam। kālaḥ kartā vikartā ca sarvam anyad akāraṇam ॥12-220-72॥
What have you done today, Indra? What have we done to fall? Time is the doer and transformer; everything else is without cause.
nāśaṃ vināśam-aiśvaryaṃ sukha-duḥkhe bhava-abhavau। vidvān prāpya evaṃ atyarthaṃ na prahṛṣyet na ca vyathet॥12-220-73॥
A wise person, upon encountering destruction, annihilation, prosperity, pleasure and pain, or existence and non-existence, should neither be excessively elated nor distressed.
tvam-eva hīndra vetthāsmān vedāhaṃ tvāṃ ca vāsava। vikatthase māṃ kiṃ baddhaṃ kālena nirapatrapa ॥12-220-74॥
You, Indra, truly know us; I also know you, O Vāsava. Why do you boast to me, shameless one, when I am bound by time?
tvam eva hi purā vettha yat tadā pauruṣaṃ mama। samareṣu ca vikrāntaṃ paryāptaṃ tan-nidarśanam ॥12-220-75॥
You yourself know well my former manliness; my valor in battles is sufficient proof of that.
ādityāś caiva rudrāś ca sādhyāś ca vasubhiḥ saha। mayā vinirjitāḥ sarve marutaś ca śacīpate ॥12-220-76॥
O lord of Śacī, all the Ādityas, Rudras, Sādhyas, Vasus, and Maruts have been completely conquered by me.
tvam-eva śakra jānāsi devāsurasamāgame। sametā vibudhā bhagnās-tarasā samare mayā ॥12-220-77॥
You alone, O Indra, know that in the battle between gods and asuras, the assembled gods were forcefully defeated by me in the fight.
parvatāś cāsakṛt kṣiptāḥ savanāḥ savanaukasaḥ. saṭaṅkaśikharā ghorāḥ samare mūrdhni te mayā ॥12-220-78॥
Mountains with jagged and terrible summits, along with their inhabitants, were repeatedly hurled by me in battle upon your head.
kiṁ nu śakyaṁ mayā kartuṁ yat kālo duratikramaḥ। na hi tvāṁ notsahe hantuṁ savajram api muṣṭinā॥12-220-79॥
What can I possibly do, since time cannot be overcome? Truly, I am not able to kill you, even with a thunderbolt or with my fist.
na tu vikramakālo'yaṃ kṣamākālo'yamāgataḥ। tena tvā marṣaye śakra durmarṣaṇatarastvayā ॥12-220-80॥
But this is not the time for valor; this is the time for forbearance. Therefore, I forgive you, O Śakra, though you are even more difficult to forgive.
tvaṃ mā pariṇate kāle parītaṃ kālavahninā। niyataṃ kālapāśena baddhaṃ śakra vikatthase ॥12-220-81॥
O Śakra, you boast even though, when time has passed, you are overcome and bound by the fire and noose of time.
ayaṃ sa puruṣaḥ śyāmo lokasya duratikramaḥ। baddhvā tiṣṭhati māṃ raudraḥ paśuṃ raśanayā yathā ॥12-220-82॥
This dark man, who is hard to overcome in the world, stands having bound me, fierce, like a beast with a rope.
lābhālābhau sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ kāmakrodhau bhavābhavau। vadho bandhaḥ pramokṣaś ca sarvaṃ kālena labhyate॥12-220-83॥
Gain and loss, happiness and sorrow, desire and anger, existence and non-existence, death, bondage, and liberation—everything is attained in time.
nāhaṃ kartā na kartā tvaṃ kartā yastu sadā prabhuḥ। so'yaṃ pacati kālo māṃ vṛkṣe phalam ivāgatam ॥12-220-84॥
I am not the doer, nor are you; the true doer is always the supreme master. It is Time that ripens me, just as a fruit ripens on the tree when its time has come.
yānyeva puruṣaḥ kurvansukhaiḥ kālena yujyate। punastānyeva kurvāṇo duḥkhaiḥ kālena yujyate ॥12-220-85॥
Whatever actions a man performs with pleasure, in time he is united with them; again, performing those same actions, he is united with pain in time.
na ca kālena kālajñaḥ spṛṣṭaḥ śocitum arhati। tena śakra na śocāmi nāsti śoke sahāyatā ॥12-220-86॥
The one who understands time, when affected by time, should not grieve. Therefore, O Śakra, I do not grieve, for there is no assistance in grief.
yadā hi śocatāṃ śoko vyasanaṃ nāpakarṣati। sāmarthyaṃ śocato nāsti nādya śocāmyahaṃ tataḥ ॥12-220-87॥
When grief does not remove calamity for those who grieve, and strength does not exist for the grieving, therefore, today I do not grieve.
evam-uktaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ bhagavān pākāśāsanaḥ। prati-saṃhṛtya saṃrambham ity-uvāca śatakratuḥ ॥12-220-88॥
Thus addressed, Indra, the thousand-eyed and venerable subduer of Pāka, withdrew his anger and spoke as follows.
savajramudyataṃ bāhuṃ dṛṣṭvā pāśāṃś ca vāruṇān। kasyeha na vyathed buddhir mṛtyor api jighāṃsataḥ ॥12-220-89॥
Who here would not have their mind shaken, seeing an arm raised with the thunderbolt and the nooses of Varuṇa, even if it were death itself seeking to slay?
sā te na vyathate buddhir acalā tattvadarśinī। bruvann vyathase sa tvaṃ vākyaṃ satyaparākrama ॥12-220-90॥
That intellect of yours, unwavering and perceiving reality, is not disturbed. While speaking, you are not disturbed; you are one whose valor is truth.
ho hi viśvāsam artheṣu śarīre vā śarīrabhṛt। kartum utsahate loke dṛṣṭvā samprasthitaṃ jagat ॥12-220-91॥
Indeed, in this world, seeing that the world is set in motion, one is able to act, whether trusting in objects, the body, or the embodied soul.
aham apy evam evainaṃ lokaṃ jānāmy aśāśvatam। kālāgnāv āhitaṃ ghore guhye satatage'kṣare ॥12-220-92॥
I too know this world in the same way—as impermanent, set in the fire of time, within the terrible, secret, ever-moving imperishable.
na cātra parihāro'sti kālaspṛṣṭasya kasyacit। sūkṣmāṇāṃ mahatāṃ caiva bhūtānāṃ paripacyatām ॥12-220-93॥
Here, there is no escape for anyone touched by time; both subtle and great beings, as they mature, are subject to it.
anīśasyāpramattasya bhūtāni pacataḥ sadā। anivṛttasya kālasya kṣayaṃ prāpto na mucyate ॥12-220-94॥
For one who lacks mastery and vigilance, beings are always consumed. When the irreversible time brings destruction, there is no release.
apramattaḥ pramatteṣu kālo jāgarti dehiṣu। prayatnenāpyatikrānto dṛṣṭapūrvo na kenacit ॥12-220-95॥
Time, ever alert among the negligent embodied beings, is never overcome by anyone, no matter how much effort is made; no one has ever seen it surpassed.
purāṇaḥ śāśvato dharmaḥ sarvapraṇabhṛtāṃ samaḥ। kālo na parihāryaśca na cāsyāsti vyatikramaḥ ॥12-220-96॥
Dharma is ancient and eternal, impartial to all living beings. Time cannot be avoided, nor can its course be transgressed.
ahorātrāṃś ca māsāṃś ca kṣaṇān kāṣṭhāḥ kalā lavān। sampiṇḍayati naḥ kālo vṛddhiṃ vārdhuṣiko yathā॥12-220-97॥
Time merges all our days and nights, months, moments, and the smallest units, bringing about our growth and old age, just as an agent of aging would.
idam-adya kariṣyāmi śvaḥ kartāsmīti vādinam। kālo harati samprāpto nadī-vega ivoḍupam॥12-220-98॥
Time, when it arrives, sweeps away the person who says, "I will do this today, I will do it tomorrow, I am the doer," just as the current of a river carries away a log.
idānīṃ tāvadevāsaū mayā dṛṣṭaḥ kathaṃ mṛtaḥ। iti kālena hriyatāṃ pralāpaḥ śrūyate nṛṇām ॥12-220-99॥
Now, just then, it is heard among men: "He was just seen by me, how is he dead?"—such delirium is carried away by time.
naśyantyarthāstathā bhogāḥ sthānamaiśvaryameva ca। anityamadhruvaṃ sarvaṃ vyavāsāyo hi duṣkaraḥ ॥ ucchrāyā vinipātāntā bhāvo'bhāvastha eva ca ॥12-220-100॥
Objects, enjoyments, position, and prosperity are all destroyed; everything is impermanent and unstable, and any undertaking is indeed difficult. All rise ends in downfall; existence itself is always accompanied by non-existence.
sā te na vyathate buddhiracalā tattvadarśinī। ahamāsaṃ purā ceti manasāpi na budhyase ॥12-220-101॥
Your intellect, which is unmoving and perceives reality, is not disturbed. You do not understand, even by your mind, that I existed formerly as such.
kālenākramya loke'smin pacyamāne balīyasā। ajyeṣṭham akaniṣṭhaṃ ca kṣipyamāṇo na budhyase॥12-220-102॥
Overpowered by time, in this world, as the stronger ripens (destroys) all, you are tossed about, neither the eldest nor the youngest, and you do not perceive it.
īrṣyābhimānalobheṣu kāmakrodhabhayeṣu ca। spṛhāmohābhimāneṣu lokaḥ sakto vimuhyati ॥12-220-103॥
People, being attached to envy, pride, greed, desire, anger, fear, longing, delusion, and pride, become deluded.
bhavāṃstu bhāvatattvajño vidvāñjñānataponvitaḥ। kālaṃ paśyati suvyaktaṃ pāṇāvāmalakaṃ yathā ॥12-220-104॥
You, truly a knower of the essence of reality, wise and endowed with the austerity of knowledge, perceive time as clearly as one sees an āmalaka fruit in their hand.
kālacāritratattvajñaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ। vairocane kṛtātmāsi spṛhaṇīyo vijānatām ॥12-220-105॥
O son of Virocana, you are one who knows the principles of time and conduct, an expert in all scriptures, self-controlled, and worthy of emulation among the wise.
sarvaloko hy ayaṃ manye buddhyā parigataḥ tvayā। viharansarvatomukto na kvacit pariṣajjase ॥12-220-106॥
I believe that you have comprehended all worlds by your intellect; moving about everywhere, you remain liberated and are not bound anywhere.
rajaś ca hi tamaś ca tvā spṛśato na jitendriyam। niṣprītiṃ naṣṭasantāpaṃ tvam ātmānam upāsase॥12-220-107॥
When passion and darkness touch you, O one who has not conquered the senses, you neither attain delight nor freedom from suffering; you worship only your own self.
suhṛdaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ nirvairaṃ śāntamānasam। dṛṣṭvā tvāṃ mama sañjātā tvayyanukrośinī matiḥ ॥12-220-108॥
Seeing you, who are good-hearted towards all beings, free from enmity, and with a peaceful mind, a compassionate thought has arisen in me towards you.
nāhametādṛśaṃ buddhaṃ hantumicchāmi bandhane। ānṛśaṃsyaṃ paro dharmo anukrośastathā tvayi ॥12-220-109॥
I do not wish to kill such a wise person who is in bondage. Compassion is the highest duty, and so is pity towards you.
mokṣyante vāruṇāḥ pāśās taveme kālaparyayāt। prajānāmapacāreṇa svasti te'stu mahāsura ॥12-220-110॥
The bonds of Varuṇa, these of yours, are released in due course of time; due to the misconduct of beings, may well-being be yours, O great Asura.
yadā śvaśrūṃ snuṣā vṛddhāṃ paricāreṇa yokṣyate। putraś ca pitaraṃ mohāt preṣayiṣyati karmasu ॥12-220-111॥
When the daughter-in-law makes the aged mother-in-law serve, and the son, out of delusion, sends his father to work.
brāhmaṇaiḥ kārayiṣyanti vṛṣalāḥ pādadhāvanam। śūdrāś ca brāhmaṇīṃ bhāryām upayāsyanti nirbhayāḥ ॥12-220-112॥
Outcastes will make Brāhmaṇas wash their feet. Śūdras will also, without fear, take a Brāhmaṇa woman as their wife.
viyoniṣu ca bījāni mokṣyante puruṣā yadā। saṅkaraṃ kāṃsyabhāṇḍaiśca baliṃ cāpi kupātrakaiḥ ॥12-220-113॥
When people are born in improper wombs and seeds are released, there is confusion of castes; offerings are made with bronze vessels and also by unworthy vessels.
cāturvarṇyaṃ yadā kṛtsnam unmaryādaṃ bhaviṣyati। ekaikaste tadā pāśaḥ kramaśaḥ pratimokṣyate ॥12-220-114॥
When the fourfold order of society becomes completely without boundaries, then each of those bonds will be successively released.
asmattas te bhayaṃ nāsti samayaṃ pratipālaya। sukhī bhava nirābādhaḥ svasthacetā nirāmayaḥ ॥12-220-115॥
You have nothing to fear from us. Keep your agreement. Be happy, free from obstacles, healthy in mind, and free from illness.
tam evam uktvā bhagavāñ śatakratuḥ; pratiprayāto gajarāja-vāhanaḥ. vijitya sarvān asurān surādhipaḥ; nananda harṣeṇa babhūva caikarāṭ. ॥12-220-116॥
After saying this to him, the venerable Indra, riding the king of elephants, departed. Having conquered all the asuras, the lord of the gods rejoiced with great happiness and became the sole ruler.
maharṣayas tuṣṭuvur añjasā ca taṃ; vṛṣākapiṃ sarvacarācāreśvaram। himāpaho havyam udāvahaṃs tvaraṃ; stathāmṛtaṃ cārpitam īśvarāya ha ॥12-220-117॥
The great sages directly praised him and Vṛṣākapi, the lord of all beings. The remover of snow quickly brought forth the offering and nectar, and indeed offered them to the Lord.
dvijottamaiḥ sarvagatair abhiṣṭuto; vidīptatejā gatamanyur īśvaraḥ. praśāntacetā muditaḥ svamālayaṃ; triviṣṭapaṃ prāpya mumoda vāsavaḥ ॥12-220-118॥
Indra, praised by the foremost of the twice-born who are present everywhere, his anger calmed and his energy blazing, joyfully returned to his own abode in heaven and rejoiced.
