Shloka 5
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
तेन दुर्वारितास्त्रेण निमित्तचपलेषुणा । महान् वनतरुस्तत्र विद्धो मृगजिघांसया
tena durvāritāstreṇa nimittacapaleṣuṇā | mahān vanatarus tatra viddho mṛgajighāṃsayā ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „Durch jenes unwiderstehliche Geschoss — einen Pfeil, dessen Ziel infolge eines unzeitigen Umstands schwankte — wurde dort ein mächtiger Waldbaum durchbohrt, obgleich er in der Absicht abgeschossen worden war, einen Hirsch zu töten.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gap that can arise between intention and outcome: even when an act is aimed at a particular target, unsteady circumstances can redirect its effects, implying the need for restraint, care, and accountability in the use of force.
An arrow, described as an irresistible weapon, is released to kill a deer; due to a wavering aim caused by circumstances, it misses and instead pierces a large tree in the forest.