Shloka 27
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
गम्यतां साधयिष्यामो वयं हाग्निभयात् सुरा: । एतावदुक्त्वा मण्डूकस्त्वरितो जलमाविशत्,“देवगण! आप जाइये। हम भी अग्निके भयसे अन्यत्र जायँगे।! इतना ही कहकर वह मेढक तुरंत ही जलमें घुस गया
gamyatāṃ sādhayiṣyāmo vayaṃ hāgnibhayāt surāḥ | etāvad uktvā maṇḍūkas tvarito jalam āviśat ||
Bhīṣma said: “Go on; we too shall manage—out of fear of the fire, O gods, we will move elsewhere.” Having said only this much, the frog quickly plunged into the water.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
In immediate peril, one should act promptly and choose an effective refuge; practical action aligned with self-preservation can be a form of prudent dharma when it prevents needless harm.
The frog tells the gods to proceed, saying that they will also find a way to cope by moving away due to fear of fire; after speaking, the frog quickly enters the water to escape the danger.