Shloka 16
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
पुनश्च जवमास्थाय जवनो मृगयूथप: । अतीत्यातीत्य राजेन्द्र पुनरभ्येति चान्तिकम्
punaś ca javam āsthāya javano mṛgayūthapaḥ | atītyātītya rājendra punar abhyeti cāntikam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Raja, sekali lagi, setelah menghimpun kecepatannya, pemimpin kawanan rusa itu melompat jauh melampaui tanah di hadapannya berulang kali, lalu kembali lagi untuk mendekat.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the repeated surging and returning of a swift herd-leader as an image of restless motion—strength without steadiness. In Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction, such imagery commonly points toward the need for restraint, composure, and disciplined direction of one’s energies (especially for a ruler).
Bhīṣma describes a swift leader of a deer herd who repeatedly leaps far ahead and then comes back near again, addressing the king (Yudhiṣṭhira). It is a vivid behavioral description likely serving as an illustrative example within Bhīṣma’s counsel.