Shloka 25
Kuvalāśva’s Lineage and Uttaṅka’s Petition concerning Dhundhu (धुन्धु-प्रसङ्गः)
अथ मण्डूकवधे घोरे क्रियमाणे दिक्षु सर्वासु मण्ड्रकान् भयमाविवेश । ते भीता मण्डूकराज्ञे यथावृत्तं न्यवेदयन्,“इस आज्ञाके अनुसार चारों ओर मेढकोंका भयंकर संहार आरम्भ हो गया। इससे सब दिशाओंके मेढकोंके मनमें भय समा गया। वे डरकर मण्डूकराजके पास गये और उनसे सब वृत्तान्त ठीक-ठीक बता दिया
atha maṇḍūkavadhe ghore kriyamāṇe dikṣu sarvāsu maṇḍrakān bhayam āviveśa | te bhītā maṇḍūkarājñe yathāvṛttaṃ nyavedayan |
Vaiśampāyana said: When a dreadful slaughter of the frogs began to be carried out in every direction, fear seized the frogs everywhere. Terrified, they went to the king of the frogs and reported to him, exactly as it had happened, that—by this command—a terrible killing of frogs had commenced all around.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how indiscriminate violence initiated by an order spreads fear through an entire community, and how the afflicted naturally seek protection and redress from their ruler—implying the ethical weight of commands and the duty of leadership to respond to suffering.
A severe killing of frogs begins in all directions. The frogs become terrified, gather together, and approach their king to report the situation accurately and seek his intervention.