Shloka 22

Devanagari script

यास्तु तस्मादपक्रम्य सोममेवाभिसंश्रिता:,परंतु जो गौएँ वहाँसे भागकर चन्द्रमाकी ही शरणमें चली गयीं, वे जैसे उत्पन्न हुई थीं वैसे ही रह गयीं। उनका रंग नहीं बदला। उस समय क्रोधमें भरे हुए महादेवजीसे दक्षप्रजापतिने कहा--

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | yās tu tasmād apakramya somam evābhisaṃśritāḥ, … tadā krodhabhareṇa mahādevena dakṣaḥ prajāpatiḥ uvāca —

Translation

Bhīṣma said: “But those cows who, fleeing from there, took refuge solely in Soma (the Moon) remained just as they had been born; their color did not change. Then Daksha Prajapati, addressing Mahadeva who was filled with anger at that time, spoke as follows—”

Word by Word

याःwhich (women/cows) / those who

तुbut

तस्मात्from that (place/person)

अपक्रम्यhaving departed/withdrawn

सोमम्Soma; the Moon

एवindeed; only

अभिसंश्रिताःhaving taken refuge in; resorted to

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

Soma (Moon)

cows

Mahadeva (Shiva)

Daksha Prajapati

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The passage highlights the power of chosen refuge: those who take shelter in a particular divine principle (here Soma) remain under its influence and condition, suggesting that allegiance and protection shape one’s state. It also sets up an ethical contrast between anger and right speech, as Daksha prepares to address an enraged Mahadeva.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma narrates that some cows fled and sought refuge in Soma; unlike others, their color did not change and they remained as originally born. Immediately after, the story transitions to a confrontation: Daksha Prajapati speaks to Mahadeva (Shiva), who is described as filled with anger.