Shloka 22
भृगु–भरद्वाजसंवादः: वर्णभेदस्य कर्माधारितव्याख्या
Bhrigu–Bharadvaja Dialogue: A Karma-Based Account of Varṇa
मध्ये वै पापयोनीनां शार्गालीं यामहं गत: । पापीयस्यो बहुतरा इतो<न्या: पापयोनय:,“यद्यपि मैं इस समय जिस शृगालयोनिमें हूँ, इसकी गणना भी पापयोनियोंमें ही है, तथापि दूसरी बहुत-सी पापयोनियाँ इससे भी नीची श्रेणीकी हैं
madhye vai pāpayonīnāṃ śārgālīṃ yām ahaṃ gataḥ | pāpīyasy-o bahutarā ito 'nyāḥ pāpayonayaḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “Although the jackal-womb into which I have now fallen is counted among sinful births, there are many other sinful wombs even lower than this.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores gradations of moral consequence: even a birth regarded as ‘sinful’ is not the lowest, implying that actions (karma) can lead to progressively worse conditions, and thus one should avoid wrongdoing and cultivate dharma.
Bhīṣma speaks reflectively about having attained a jackal-birth, acknowledging it as a blameworthy state while noting that there exist still lower forms of birth—framing a discussion on karma, ethical decline, and the results of sin.