Shloka 5
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 10: Ruru’s Vow and Ḍuṇḍubha’s Appeal (रुरोः प्रतिज्ञा—डुण्डुभोपदेशः)
सौतिर्वाच इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य भुजगस्य रुरुस्तदा । नावधीद् भयसंविग्नमृषिं मत्वाथ डुण्डुभम्,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--डुण्डुभ सर्पका यह वचन सुनकर रुऱुने उसे कोई भयभीत ऋषि समझा, अतः उसका वध नहीं किया
Sautir uvāca: iti śrutvā vacas tasya bhujagasya rurus tadā | nāvadhīd bhaya-saṃvignam ṛṣiṃ matvātha ḍuṇḍubham ||
Sauti said: Hearing those words of the serpent, Ruru at that moment did not strike him down. Taking Ḍuṇḍubha to be a frightened sage, he refrained from killing—showing restraint and caution in judgment when the other appears vulnerable.
डुण्ड्रुभ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint: even when one has the power to harm, one should pause, listen, and judge carefully—especially when the other appears fearful or vulnerable. It suggests that dharma includes compassion and avoidance of hasty violence based on assumptions.
Sauti narrates that Ruru hears the serpent’s words and, believing the serpent Ḍuṇḍubha to be a frightened ṛṣi, chooses not to kill him. The moment marks a pause in aggression and a turn toward inquiry and discernment.