Shloka 4
उद्योगपर्व — धृतराष्ट्रस्य दुर्योधनप्रति शक्तिस्मारक-उपदेशः
Udyoga Parva 63: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel Reminding Duryodhana of Opponent Strength
तथा तमनुधावन्तं मृगयुं शकुनार्थिनम् । आश्रमस्थो मुनि: कश्रिद् ददर्शाथ कृताह्विक:
tathā tam anudhāvantaṃ mṛgayuṃ śakunārthinam | āśramastho muniḥ kaścid dadarśātha kṛtāhvikaḥ ||
En ce temps-là, un sage demeurait dans un ermitage au cœur de la forêt. Ayant accompli ses rites prescrits —tels les prières du crépuscule—, il était assis dans l’ashram. Il vit alors le chasseur accourir, avide de prendre des oiseaux.
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly contrasts two orientations: the sage grounded in disciplined daily dharma (nitya-karma) and the hunter driven by pursuit. It prepares an ethical reflection on how actions and intentions shape character and consequences.
A hunter, chasing birds, runs through the forest. A sage seated in his hermitage after completing his daily rituals notices the hunter, setting up the next interaction in Vidura’s narrated episode.