Shloka 27
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
तस्य वाक्येन सौम्येन हर्षित: पाकशासन: । शुकं प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा आनृशंस्येन तोषित:,तोतेकी इस कोमल वाणीसे पाकशासन इन्द्रको बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुई। धर्मात्मा देवेन्द्रने शुककी दयालुतासे संतुष्ट हो उससे कहा--
tasya vākyena saumyen harṣitaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ | śukaṃ provāca dharmātmā ānṛśaṃsyena toṣitaḥ ||
Von seinen sanften und gütigen Worten erfreut, wurde Pākaśāsana (Indra) heiter. Zufrieden mit Śukas Mitgefühl und seiner Nicht-Grausamkeit wandte sich der rechtschaffene Herr der Götter an ihn.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Gentle speech (saumya vākya) and compassion/non-cruelty (ānṛśaṃsya) have moral power: they win hearts and elicit a favorable response even from the highest authority, here Indra. The verse highlights ethical conduct as persuasive and dharmic.
After hearing Śuka’s mild and pleasing words, Indra (Pākaśāsana) becomes happy. Recognizing Śuka’s compassionate disposition, Indra—described as dharmātmā—speaks to him, indicating a shift to Indra’s reply in the dialogue.