Shloka 9
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
तस्मिन् वने समीपस्थो मृगो5भूत् सहवासिक: । वचोभिरब्रवीत् सत्यं त्वयेदं दुष्कृतं कृतम्
tasmin vane samīpastho mṛgo 'bhūt sahavāsikaḥ | vacobhir abravīt satyaṃ tvayedaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam |
In that forest, nearby, lived a deer—a constant companion of Truth. Speaking in human words, it told him plainly: “By you this evil deed has been done.” (The context is a moral rebuke: harm committed under the pretext of sacrifice.)
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wrongdoing does not become righteous merely by being associated with a religious label; truth itself (here symbolized by a deer allied with Satya) exposes and condemns harm committed under the pretext of sacrifice.
Nārada narrates that in a forest a deer living close by—described as a companion of Truth—speaks in human language and directly rebukes someone, declaring that the person has committed an evil act (implied to be done in the name of a yajña).