Shloka 82
अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
शकुन्तलोवाच राजन् सर्षपमात्राणि परच्छिद्राणि पश्यसि । आत्मनो बिल्वमात्राणि पश्यन्नपि न पश्यसि,शकुन्तलाने कहा--राजन्! आप दूसरोंके सरसों बराबर दोषोंको तो देखते रहते हैं, किंतु अपने बेलके समान बड़े-बड़े दोषोंको देखकर भी नहीं देखते
Śakuntalovāca: rājan sarṣapamātrāṇi parachidrāṇi paśyasi | ātmano bilvamātrāṇi paśyann api na paśyasi ||
Śakuntalā sprach: „O König, du bemerkst bereitwillig die kleinsten Fehler anderer — nicht größer als ein Senfkorn —, doch selbst wenn du auf deine eigenen Fehler blickst, groß wie Bilva-Früchte, siehst du sie nicht wirklich.“
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches ethical self-examination: people often magnify tiny defects in others while remaining blind to their own major shortcomings. Dharma requires fairness, humility, and correcting oneself before condemning others.
In the Śakuntalā–Duṣyanta episode, Śakuntalā confronts the king’s attitude and judgment. Using the mustard-seed vs. bilva-fruit contrast, she criticizes his readiness to find fault in others while refusing to acknowledge his own serious failings.