Shloka 8
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
न दिशो<विन्दत नृप: क्षुत्पिपासार्दितस्तदा । इतश्रैतश्न वै राजन् श्रमतृष्णान्वितो नूप
na diśo 'vindata nṛpaḥ kṣutpipāsārditas tadā | itaś caitaś ca vai rājan śrama-tṛṣṇānvito nṛpa-nareśvara ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Alors le roi, tourmenté par la faim et la soif, ne parvenait même plus à discerner les directions. Ô roi, il errait çà et là, accablé de fatigue et d’une soif brûlante, avançant dans la confusion et la détresse.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even royal power cannot protect one who is overtaken by moha (delusion) and the consequences of prior actions; loss of discernment leads to suffering, and dharmic clarity is essential for right conduct.
The king, afflicted by hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, wanders aimlessly and cannot recognize directions—depicting his confused, distressed state within the larger episode where he is driven into error and hardship.