Shloka 23
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
स मुनिस्तत् तदा दृष्टवा मत्स्यानां कदनं कृतम् । बभूव कृपयाविष्टो नि:श्वसंश्व॒ पुन: पुन:,उधर जालके आकर्षणसे अत्यन्त खेद, त्रास और स्थलका संस्पर्श होनेके कारण बहुत-से मत्स्य मर गये। मुनिने जब मत्स्योंका यह संहार देखा, तब उन्हें बड़ी दया आयी और वे बारंबार लंबी साँस खींचने लगे
sa munis tat tadā dṛṣṭvā matsyānāṁ kadanaṁ kṛtam | babhūva kṛpayāviṣṭo niḥśvasaṁś ca punaḥ punaḥ ||
Bhishma said: When the sage saw that the fish had been cut down and destroyed, he was overcome with compassion and, again and again, he heaved deep sighs. The scene underscores an ethical sensitivity to needless harm and the awakening of mercy upon witnessing suffering.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Witnessing suffering should awaken compassion; dharma is not only rule-following but also a cultivated sensitivity that recoils from needless violence and responds with mercy.
A sage observes that many fish have been killed (a slaughter/destruction has occurred). Seeing this, he is moved by pity and repeatedly sighs, signaling grief and empathetic distress.