Shloka 18
Takṣaka’s agency, Parīkṣit’s rites, and Janamejaya’s enthronement (वैयासिक परम्परा-प्रसङ्गः)
भूयिष्ठमुपयुञ्जानं फेनमापिबतां पय: । तमभिद्रुत्य वेगेन स राजा संशितव्रतम्,उन्हें बड़ी थकावट आ गयी। वे प्याससे व्याकुल हो उठे और इसी दशामें वनमें शमीक मुनिके पास आये। वे मुनि गौओंके रहनेके स्थानमें आसनपर बैठे थे और गौओंका दूध पीते समय बछड़ोंके मुखसे जो बहुत-सा फेन निकलता, उसीको खा-पीकर तपस्या करते थे। राजा परीक्षितने कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले उन महर्षिके पास बड़े वेगसे आकर पूछा। पूछते समय वे भूख और थकावटसे बहुत आतुर हो रहे थे और धनुषको उन्होंने ऊपर उठा रखा था। वे बोले--'ब्रह्मन! मैं अभिमन्युका पुत्र राजा परीक्षित् हूँ। मेरे बाणोंसे विद्ध होकर एक मृग कहीं भाग निकला है। क्या आपने उसे देखा है?” मुनि मौन-व्रतका पालन कर रहे थे, अतः उन्होंने राजाको कुछ भी उत्तर नहीं दिया
bhūyiṣṭham upayuñjānaṃ phenam āpibatāṃ payaḥ | tam abhidrutyavegena sa rājā saṃśitavratam ||
Śaunaka said: The king hurried swiftly toward that sage, steadfast in austere vows. The ascetic lived chiefly on the foam that gathers at the mouths of calves as they drink the cows’ milk—taking even such scant remnants as the fuel of his tapas. In the larger episode, Parīkṣit, exhausted and tormented by thirst and hunger while pursuing a deer wounded by his arrow, approaches Śamīka in the forest and questions him; the sage, observing a vow of silence, gives no reply—thus preparing the ground for the king’s later lapse and its grave ethical consequences.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when distressed, a ruler must restrain impatience and uphold respect toward ascetics; small lapses in self-control can trigger disproportionate consequences, especially when dharma is already strained by fatigue, anger, or pride.
Parīkṣit, pursuing a wounded deer and suffering from thirst and exhaustion, rushes to the silent sage Śamīka. The verse highlights the sage’s austere mode of sustenance (living on foam from calves’ milk) and the king’s hurried approach, foreshadowing the misunderstanding and the king’s later misconduct.