Shloka 3
कुण्डधारोपाख्यानम्
Kuṇḍadhāra-Upākhyāna: Dharma’s Superiority over Wealth and Desire
आह़यैनान् महाब्रह्मन् विशमानांस्ततस्तत: । पश्येमान् हस्तपादैश्न श्लिष्टान् देहेषु सर्वश:
āhvayainān mahābrahman viśamānāṁs tataḥ tataḥ | paśyemān hastapādaiś ca śliṣṭān deheṣu sarvaśaḥ ||
চূলাধার বললেন—হে মহাব্রাহ্মণ! যারা এদিক-ওদিক তাদের আশ্রয়ে ঢুকে পড়ছে, তাদের ডেকে আনো। দেখো, সর্বত্র তাদের হাত-পা সঙ্কুচিত হয়ে দেহের সঙ্গে লেগে আছে। তাদের ডেকে প্রশ্ন করো।
चुलाधार उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse urges careful observation and inquiry: by attentively watching how beings protect themselves and move through the world, one can question and learn about their nature and the ethical implications of one’s actions toward them.
Chulādhāra addresses a Brāhmaṇa and points out creatures entering their shelters, with limbs drawn in close to their bodies. He asks the Brāhmaṇa to call them and question them, setting up a reflective, didactic exchange.