Shloka 22
धर्मव्याधोपदेशः
Dharma-vyādha’s Instruction on Śiṣṭācāra and Dharma
पुनरन्यमुज्चकर्त गुरुतर. एव कपोतः । एवं सर्व समधिकृत्य शरीरं तुलायामारोपयामास । तत् तथापि गुरुतर एव कपोत आसीत्,राजाने फिर दूसरी बार अपने शरीरका मांस काटकर रखा, तो भी कबूतरका ही पलड़ा भारी रहा। इस प्रकार क्रमश: उन्होंने अपने सभी अंगोंका मांस काट-काटकर तराजूपर चढ़ाया तो भी कबूतर ही भारी रहा
punar anyam uccakartur gurutara eva kapotaḥ | evaṁ sarvaṁ samadhikṛtya śarīraṁ tulāyām āropayāmāsa | tat tathāpi gurutara eva kapota āsīt |
王はさらに肉を切り落として秤に載せたが、鳩の皿はなお重いままだった。こうして一歩一歩、王は四肢の肉をことごとく天秤に捧げたが、それでも鳩ひとつがなお勝っていた。
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is tested when compassion conflicts with personal cost: a ruler must protect one who seeks refuge, even if fulfilling that vow demands extreme self-sacrifice. The unchanging heaviness of the pigeon signifies that ethical duty cannot be satisfied by partial measures or convenient substitutes.
The hawk challenges the king’s promise to protect the pigeon by demanding equivalent flesh as compensation. The king repeatedly cuts and places more of his own flesh on the scale, yet the pigeon’s side remains heavier, intensifying the moral trial and highlighting the king’s unwavering commitment to protect the helpless.