Shloka 10

Janamejaya’s Appeal for Pacification and Śaunaka’s Counsel on Humility (जनमेजय-शौनक संवादः)

Devanagari script

एवमुक्तस्तत: पक्षी पर्णान्यास्तीर्य भूतले । यथाशकत्या हि पर्णेन ज्वलनार्थ द्रुतं ययौ,उसके ऐसा कहनेपर पक्षीने पृथ्विीपर बहुत-से पत्ते लाकर रख दिये और आग लानेके लिये अपने पंखोंद्वारा यथाशक्ति बड़ी तेजीसे उड़ान लगायी

Transliteration

evam uktas tataḥ pakṣī parṇāny āstīrya bhūtale | yathāśaktyā hi parṇena jvalanārthaṃ drutaṃ yayau ||

Translation

Bhīṣma said: Thus addressed, the bird at once spread many leaves upon the ground. Then, exerting itself to the best of its ability with its wings, it swiftly flew off to fetch fire—showing prompt obedience and earnest effort in carrying out what it had been asked.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

उक्तःhaving been told / addressed

ततःthen, thereafter

पक्षीthe bird

पर्णानिleaves

आस्तीर्यhaving spread (strewn)

भूतलेon the ground

यथाas, according to

शक्त्याwith (his) power/ability

हिindeed, for

पर्णेनwith a leaf (i.e., by means of leaf)

ज्वलनार्थम्for the purpose of fire (bringing fire)

द्रुतम्quickly

ययौwent

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

pakṣī (bird)

parṇāni (leaves)

bhūtala (ground/earth)

jvalana (fire)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights prompt, sincere service: one should act without delay and contribute according to one’s capacity (yathāśaktyā), making earnest effort even in small tasks.

What is happening in the narrative?

After being instructed, the bird spreads leaves on the ground as preparation and then quickly flies off to bring fire, using its wings with all the strength it can muster.