Shloka 20
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
भीष्म उवाच तदुपश्रुत्य धर्मात्मा शुक: शक्रेण भाषितम् । सुदीर्घमतिनि:श्व॒स्य दीनो वाक्यमुवाच ह,भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्! इन्द्रकी यह बात सुनकर धर्मात्मा शुकने लंबी साँस खींचकर दीनभावसे यह बात कही--
bhīṣma uvāca | tad upaśrutya dharmātmā śukaḥ śakreṇa bhāṣitam | sudīrgham ati-niḥśvasya dīno vākyam uvāca ha ||
Bhishma berkata: Mendengar ucapan Indra itu, Shuka yang saleh menarik napas panjang, lalu dengan hati yang tunduk dan pilu mengucapkan kata-kata berikut.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical posture: a dharmic person listens carefully to higher counsel, reflects deeply (symbolized by the long sigh), and responds with humility rather than pride or haste.
Bhishma narrates that after hearing Indra’s statement, Shuka becomes subdued, takes a deep breath, and begins to speak—marking a transition to Shuka’s reply and indicating the seriousness of Indra’s words.