Shloka 23
स्त्रीभोगानां विशेषज्ञ: शास्त्रधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित् नाहस्त्वं सुरसंकाश कर्तुमस्वर्ग्यमीदूशम्,देवतुल्य महाराज! तुम स्त्री-भोगोंके विशेषज्ञ तथा शास्त्रीय धर्म एवं अर्थके तत्त्वको जाननेवाले हो। तुम्हें ऐसा नरकप्रद पापकार्य नहीं करना चाहिये था
strībhogānāṁ viśeṣajñaḥ śāstradharmārthatattvavit | nāhaḥ tvaṁ surasaṅkāśa kartum asvargyam īdṛśam | devatulyā mahārāja ||
The deer said: “You are an expert in the pleasures of women and a knower of the true principles of dharma and artha as taught in the śāstras. O radiant one, you ought not to have done such a deed that leads away from heaven—such a sin. O great king, you are like a god.”
मृग उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even one who is knowledgeable in śāstra, dharma, and artha must restrain desire and avoid actions that are ‘asvargya’—morally blameworthy deeds that destroy merit and lead to suffering.
A deer addresses a king with respectful but sharp reproach, reminding him of his learning and godlike status and warning that the act he has done is sinful and not conducive to heaven—an ethical admonition within the story’s unfolding events.