Shloka 69
आजगाम पुनर्द्धीपं स्पर्धया पेततुर्यत: । अचेत हुए कौएको पीठपर बिठाकर हंस तुरंत ही फिर उसी द्वीपमें आ पहुँचा, जहाँसे होड़ लगाकर दोनों उड़े थे || ६८ ई ।। संस्थाप्य तं चापि पुन: समाश्वास्य च खेचरम्
ājagāma punar dvīpaṃ spardhayā petatur yataḥ | aceto bhūtaṃ kaukeyaṃ pīṭhapar biṭhākar haṃsaḥ tūrṇam eva punar asmin dvīpe samājahāra, yatas tau hoḍaṃ kṛtvā uḍitau || saṃsthāpya taṃ cāpi punaḥ samāśvāsya ca khecaram ||
The swan swiftly returned to the same island from which the two had taken off in rivalry. Seeing the crow rendered senseless, the swan set him upon its back, brought him back, and after placing him safely down, comforted the sky-going bird again. The episode underscores that true excellence is shown not by defeating a weaker rival, but by protecting him when he falls—turning competition into compassion.
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Superiority is not proved by humiliating a rival but by showing compassion when the rival is in distress. The stronger one’s dharma is to protect and reassure, transforming competition into benevolence.
After a competitive flight, the swan returns to the island of departure, finds the crow unconscious, carries him on its back, sets him down safely, and comforts him.