Shloka 25
कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
स तु शीतहतैगत्रिन जगाम न तस्थिवान् । ददर्श पतितां भूमौ कपोतीं शीतविह्नललाम्
sa tu śītahatair gātrair jagāma na tasthivān | dadarśa patitāṃ bhūmau kapotīṃ śītavihvalām ||
Namun ia, dengan anggota tubuh yang kebas dihantam dingin, tak mampu berjalan dan bahkan tak sanggup berdiri. Dalam keadaan itu ia melihat seekor merpati betina tergeletak di tanah, gemetar karena sengsara musim dingin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse prepares an ethical moment: when one encounters a vulnerable being suffering (here, a pigeon overcome by cold), dharma leans toward compassion and protective care, even when one’s own condition is difficult.
A person, incapacitated by severe cold and unable to walk or stand, notices a female pigeon lying on the ground, trembling and distressed from the cold—introducing a situation that will test response and duty.