Shloka 6
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
स तीक3्षणविषदिग्धेन शरेणातिबलात् क्षतः । उत्सृज्य फलपत्राणि पादप: शोषमागत:
sa tīkṣṇaviṣadigdhena śareṇātibalāt kṣataḥ | utsṛjya phalapatrāṇi pādapaḥ śoṣam āgataḥ ||
Bhīṣma sprach: Von großer Wucht getroffen durch einen Pfeil, bestrichen mit scharfem Gift, wurde der Baum schwer verwundet. Er warf Früchte und Blätter ab und verdorrte allmählich bis zur völligen Trockenheit—ein Bild dafür, wie eine verborgene, toxische Ursache sich im Innern ausbreitet und das Leben von innen her zerstört.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a vivid simile: a single poisoned strike can spread unseen damage until vitality collapses. Ethically, it warns that harmful intent or toxic influence, once introduced, can corrupt an entire system—body, community, or character—leading to inevitable decline.
Bhīṣma describes a tree hit by a powerful arrow coated with sharp poison. The poison spreads through the tree; its fruits and leaves fall away, and it slowly dries up and withers.