Shloka 10
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
तपसोअस्य चतुर्थेन तृतीयेनाथवा पुन: । अर्धेन वापि निस्तर्तुमापदं ब्रूत मा चिरम्,“आपको इस प्रकार नीचे मुँह किये लटकते देख मेरे मनमें बड़ा दुःख हो रहा है। आपलोग बड़ी कठिन विपत्तिमें पड़े हैं। मैं आपलोगोंका कौन प्रिय कार्य करूँ? आपलोग मेरी इस तपस्याके चौथे, तीसरे अथवा आधे भागके द्वारा भी इस विपत्तिसे बचाये जा सकें तो शीघ्र बतलावें
tapasosya caturthena tṛtīyenāthavā punaḥ | ardhena vāpi nistartum āpadaṃ brūta mā ciram ||
Dijo Takṣaka: «Decidme sin demora: ¿con una cuarta parte, con un tercio, o incluso con la mitad de esta austeridad mía, podré haceros cruzar a salvo esta calamidad? Hablad pronto. Al veros colgando con el rostro vuelto hacia el suelo, mi corazón se llena de pena. Habéis caído en una desgracia terrible; ¿qué servicio, grato para vosotros, puedo realizar?»
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical use of spiritual merit (tapas): power gained through austerity is presented as something that can be shared for the relief of others’ suffering, and compassion urges prompt action rather than delay.
Takṣaka addresses those in distress, expressing sorrow at their degraded condition and offering to expend a portion of his accumulated ascetic merit—one-fourth, one-third, or even half—to help them overcome the danger, urging them to state quickly what aid is needed.