Shloka 19
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
तस्मिन् निपतिते बाणे भूमौ ज्वलिततेजसि । प्रविवेश महारण्यं मृगो राजाप्यथाद्रवत्,जब राजाका वह तेजस्वी बाण पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ा, तब मृग एक महान् वनमें घुस गया, राजाने उस समय भी उसका पीछा नहीं छोड़ा
tasmin nipatite bāṇe bhūmau jvalita-tejasi | praviveśa mahāraṇyaṁ mṛgo rājāpy athādravat ||
Ketika anak panah sang raja yang menyala dan bercahaya itu jatuh ke tanah, rusa itu menerobos masuk ke rimba yang luas; namun sang raja tetap berlari mengejarnya tanpa melepaskan buruan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how unchecked pursuit—whether of prey, desire, or a goal—can override discernment. For a king especially, dharma requires restraint and situational awareness; fixation can lead one into danger and ethical missteps.
A radiant arrow falls to the ground; the deer escapes into a vast forest. The king nevertheless continues running after it, showing the relentless momentum of the chase as the action moves into the wilderness.