Shloka 10
Indra–Mataṅga Saṃvāda: On the rarity and responsibilities of Brāhmaṇya (इन्द्र-मतङ्ग संवादः)
स बाल गर्दभं राजन् वहन्तं मातुरन्तिके । निरविध्यत् प्रतोदेन नासिकायां पुन: पुन:
sa bāla-gardabhaṃ rājan vahantaṃ mātur antike | niravidhyat pratodena nāsikāyāṃ punaḥ punaḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „O König, ein junger Esel, der eine Last trug, stand nahe bei seiner Mutter. Ein Mann stach ihn immer wieder mit einem Treibstachel, sodass er ihm die Nüstern aufs Neue verwundete.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid example of a helpless animal being repeatedly hurt to highlight adharma in the form of cruelty and needless violence, implying that righteous conduct requires compassion, restraint, and avoidance of harm—especially toward the vulnerable.
Bhishma describes a young donkey carrying a burden near its mother, while a man repeatedly prods it with a goad, injuring its nostrils. The description functions as an illustrative episode within Bhishma’s moral discourse to the king.