Shloka 9
Dāna-Śreṣṭhatā: On the Superiority of Giving
Maitreya–Vyāsa Exemplum
सर्वज्ञ व्यासजी सम्पूर्ण प्राणियोंकी गतिके ज्ञाता तथा सभी देहधारियोंकी भाषाको समझनेवाले हैं। उन्होंने उस कीड़ेको देखकर उससे इस प्रकारकी बातचीत की ।।
Vyāsa uvāca: kīṭa saṁtrastarūpo 'si tvaritaś caiva lakṣyase | kva dhāvasi tad ācakṣva kutas te bhayam āgatam ||
Vyāsa said: “O insect, you appear terrified and in great haste. Tell me—where are you running, and from where has this fear come upon you?”
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dhārmic attentiveness: a wise person does not ignore even a small creature’s distress, but asks calmly about the cause of fear—opening the way for understanding, compassion, and moral reflection.
Vyāsa notices an insect fleeing in panic and addresses it directly, asking where it is running and what has frightened it, initiating a didactic conversation.