Shloka 11
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
ततो निम्नं स्थलं चैव स मृगो<द्रवदाशुग: । मुहूर्तमिव राजेन्द्र समेन स पथागमत्,राजेन्द्र! शीघ्रतापूर्वक भागनेवाला वह मृग वहाँसे नीची भूमिकी ओर दौड़ा। फिर दो ही घड़ीमें वह समतल मार्गसे भागने लगा
tato nimnaṃ sthalaṃ caiva sa mṛgo 'dravad āśugaḥ | muhūrtam iva rājendra samena sa pathāgamat ||
Kemudian rusa yang lincah itu berlari menuju tanah yang lebih rendah. Wahai raja, seakan hanya sekejap, ia mencapai jalan yang rata dan terus melaju di atasnya.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse supports a broader ethical point common in Bhishma’s instruction: beings respond to danger by choosing terrain that aids escape—first seeking advantage (lower ground), then moving swiftly on a clear, level route. In dharma-discourse, such observation is used to illustrate prudence, situational awareness, and adapting one’s course to circumstances.
Bhishma describes a deer fleeing rapidly: it runs toward lower ground and soon reaches a level path, along which it continues its flight. The address “O best of kings” indicates he is narrating this to the king as part of an instructive episode.