Shloka 17
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
वीरणस्तम्बके लग्ना: सर्वतः परिभक्षिते | मूषकेन निगूढेन गर्तेडस्मिन् नित्यवासिना,“आप जिस वीरणस्तम्ब (खस नामक तिनकोंके समूह) -को पकड़कर लटक रहे हैं, उसे इस गड़ढेमें गुप्तरूपसे नित्य निवास करनेवाले चूहेने सब ओरसे प्राय: खा लिया है”
vīraṇa-stambake lagnāḥ sarvataḥ paribhakṣite | mūṣakeṇa nigūḍhena garte 'smin nitya-vāsinā ||
Śaunaka said: “The clump of vīraṇa-grass to which you are clinging has been almost entirely gnawed away on all sides by a hidden mouse that lives perpetually in this pit.” The image warns of unseen, steady forces—especially time and decay—quietly undermining what one relies upon, urging vigilance and timely discernment in choosing what to depend on.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
That one’s apparent support can be silently weakened by hidden forces—symbolically, time and gradual decay—so a wise person should not cling blindly but recognize impermanence and act with discernment.
A warning is given to someone hanging onto a tuft of vīraṇa grass: a concealed mouse living in the pit has nearly eaten through it, meaning the person’s hold is about to fail.