Shloka 84
अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
क्षितावटसि राजेन्द्र अन्तरिक्षे चराम्यहम् आवयोरन्तरं पश्य मेरुसर्षपयोरिव,राजेन्द्र! आप केवल पृथ्वीपर घूमते हैं, किंतु मैं आकाशमें भी चल सकती हूँ। तनिक ध्यानसे देखिये, मुझमें और आपमें सुमेरु पर्वत और सरसोंका-सा अन्तर है
kṣitāvaṭasi rājendra antarīkṣe carāmy aham | āvayor antaraṃ paśya meru-sarṣapayor iva ||
Duṣyanta sprach: „O Königsherr, du wandelst auf der Erde, doch ich kann selbst durch den Himmel schreiten. Sieh genau auf den Unterschied zwischen uns: Er ist wie der Abstand zwischen dem Berg Meru und einem Senfkorn.“
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and claims of superiority can be expressed through striking similes; ethically, it invites reflection on humility and the responsible use of power and speech, especially in relationships involving status and authority.
Duṣyanta addresses a king and asserts a dramatic superiority: while the other is confined to moving on earth, he claims the ability to move through the sky, portraying the difference between them as immense—like Mount Meru compared to a tiny mustard seed.