Shloka 5
शल्मलि–पवनसंवादः
The Dialogue of Śalmali and Pavana
पिपासार्तोडपि तद् दृष्टवा तृप्त: स्यान्नात्र संशय: । उपवासकृशोत्यर्थ स तु पार्थिव लुब्धक:
pipāsārto 'pi tad dṛṣṭvā tṛptaḥ syān nātra saṃśayaḥ | upavāsa-kṛśo 'tyarthaṃ sa tu pārthiva lubdhakaḥ ||
राजन्! कोई मनुष्य कितना ही प्यास से पीड़ित क्यों न हो, उस सरोवर को देखकर ही निःसंदेह तृप्त हो सकता था। पर वह बहेलिया उपवास से अत्यन्त कृश हो गया था।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts simple contentment with compulsive pursuit: even the mere sight of what could relieve suffering (the lake) can bring peace, yet greed or fixation drives one to ignore immediate relief and rush toward a self-chosen goal, inviting harm. Ethically, it warns that unchecked desire blinds discernment and leads to suffering.
Bhīṣma describes a hunter weakened by fasting who, instead of pausing for the obvious solace of the lake, hastens into a dangerous forest intent on a major aim. Upon entering, he gets caught in thorny bushes and is badly wounded, illustrating the peril of rash, desire-driven action.