Shloka 19
अम्बोपाख्याने तापसानां विचारः तथा होत्रवाहनस्य उपदेशः
Ambā among ascetics; Hotravāhana directs her to Paraśurāma
तामेवं भाषमाणां तु शाल्वः काशिपते: सुताम् । अत्यजद् भरतश्रेष्ठ जीर्णा त्वचमिवोरग:
tām evaṁ bhāṣamāṇāṁ tu śālvaḥ kāśipateḥ sutām | atyajad bharataśreṣṭha jīrṇāṁ tvacam ivoragaḥ ||
Wahai yang terbaik di antara Bharata! Meski putri raja Kāśī berbicara demikian dengan rendah hati memohon, Śālva mencampakkannya—seperti ular menanggalkan dan meninggalkan kulitnya yang usang.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns treating a vulnerable person as expendable. By comparing Śālva’s rejection to a snake discarding its old skin, it highlights an ethical lapse—abandoning someone who seeks protection and speaks with humility—contrary to ideals of dharma such as compassion, responsibility, and honoring relational obligations.
Bhīṣma narrates that the daughter of the king of Kāśī is speaking in a conciliatory, pleading manner. Despite her entreaties, Śālva rejects and abandons her, in the same way a serpent leaves behind its worn-out skin.