Shloka 13
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
महातेजस्वी नरेश! इस तरह उन्हें पानीमें रहते बहुत दिन बीत गये। तदनन्तर एक समय मछलियोंसे जीविका चलानेवाले बहुत-से मल्लाह मछली पकड़नेका निश्चय करके जाल हाथमें लिये हुए उस स्थानपर आये ।।
vyāyātā balinaḥ śūrāḥ salileṣv anivartinaḥ | abhyāyayuś ca taṃ deśaṃ niścitā jālakarmaṇi ||
ビーシュマは言った。「おお、力ある王よ。彼らが水中にあって幾日も過ごしたのち、ある時、多くの漁夫—魚を糧として生きる者たち—が、網を手にその場所へやって来て、網を投ずることを固く決した。彼らは労苦をいとわず、強く勇ましく、水に入ることを決してためらわぬ者たちであった。網漁の務めを果たすという揺るがぬ意志をもって、彼らはその地へ近づいた。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds steadfast effort and resolve in one’s chosen work: the fishermen are portrayed as industrious, strong, and unflinching in the face of the demanding element (water). Ethically, it highlights determination (niścaya) and disciplined exertion (vyāyāma) as qualities that enable livelihood and action.
After a long period during which certain beings/persons have been staying in the water, a group of fishermen arrives at that very location with nets, intent on fishing. Their approach sets up an impending encounter or discovery at the spot.