Shloka 23
कपिलगोसंवादे गृहस्थ-त्यागधर्मयोः प्रमाण्यविचारः
Kapila–Cow Dialogue: Authority of Householder and Renunciant Dharmas
अतीतास्वथ वर्षासु शरत्काल उपस्थिते । प्राजापत्येन विधिना विश्वासात् काममोहितौ
atītāsv atha varṣāsu śaratkāla upasthite | prājāpatyena vidhinā viśvāsāt kāmamohitau, rājan |
Bhishma dit : Lorsque la saison des pluies fut passée et que l’automne advint, ces moineaux—abusés par le désir—s’unirent l’un à l’autre selon la règle de procréation établie par Prajāpati. Se fiant à l’innocuité et à la constance de l’ascète, ils déposèrent même leurs œufs sur la tête du sage. Le brāhmane rayonnant, rigoureux dans ses vœux, comprit que les oiseaux avaient pondu dans ses mèches emmêlées.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how steadfastness in vows and harmlessness can generate trust even among animals; it also frames procreation as a natural, Prajāpati-ordained order, while implicitly praising restraint and responsibility in the face of desire.
As the seasons change from rains to autumn, a pair of sparrows, driven by desire, mate and—trusting an unmoving ascetic—lay their eggs on his head, in his matted locks; the vow-keeping sage becomes aware of this.