Shloka 22
Ruru’s Lament and the Lifespan Exchange for Pramadvarā (रुरु–प्रमद्वरा आयुर्विभागः)
तत उद्यम्य दण्डं स कालदण्डोपमं तदा । जिधघांसु: कुपितो विप्रस्तमुवाचाथ डुण्डुभ:,उसे देखते ही उसके क्रोधका पारा चढ़ गया और उस ब्राह्मणने उस समय सर्पको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे कालदण्डके समान भयंकर डंडा उठाया। तब उस डुण्डुभने मनुष्यकी बोलीमें कहा--
tata udyamya daṇḍaṃ sa kāladaṇḍopamaṃ tadā | jidhaghāṃsuḥ kupito vipras tam uvācātha ḍuṇḍubhaḥ ||
Entonces, en un arrebato de ira, el brahmán alzó un bastón—terrible como la vara de la Muerte misma—con intención de golpear y matar. En ese instante, la criatura llamada Ḍuṇḍubha le habló con voz humana, interponiéndose antes de que la violencia se consumara.
धर्मराज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger can quickly turn into lethal intent, and suggests an ethical pause: before punishment or violence is enacted, reasoned speech and discernment should intervene. The image of the 'rod of Kāla' underscores the gravity of acting rashly.
A brahmin, enraged, raises a fearsome staff intending to kill. Before the blow falls, Ḍuṇḍubha speaks in human language, signaling an extraordinary interruption meant to stop or redirect the impending act.