तेषां प्रयतमानानां नादृश्यत महामृगः । अपश्यन्तो मृगं शान्ता दुःखं प्राप्ता मनस्विन:,घोर प्रयत्न करनेपर भी वह महामृग उनके हाथ न लगा; सहसा अदृश्य हो गया। मृगको न देखकर वे मनस्वी वीर हतोत्साह और दुःखी हो गये
teṣāṃ prayatamānānāṃ nādṛśyata mahāmṛgaḥ | apaśyanto mṛgaṃ śāntā duḥkhaṃ prāptā manasvinaḥ ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: على الرغم من سعيهم بجهدٍ شديد، لم يعد ذلك الأيل العظيم يُرى—لقد تلاشى عن أبصارهم. وحين لم يعثروا على الحيوان، وقع أولئك الأبطال الثابتو العزم، وقد انكفأ حماسهم، في الضيق والحزن.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the limits of human effort: even intense striving may fail when circumstances (or a higher design) remove the object of pursuit. Ethically, it points to steadiness of mind—one should not let frustration and grief overpower discernment when outcomes slip beyond control.
The group pursuing a remarkable deer exerts themselves strongly, but the animal suddenly becomes unseen. Unable to find it, the otherwise resolute men lose momentum and become distressed.