Shloka 29
Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
एक: समुद्धृतः पिण्डो हाधस्तात् कस्य गच्छति
ekaḥ samuddhṛtaḥ piṇḍo hādhastāt kasya gacchati
Utusan ilahi berkata: “Satu gumpal piṇḍa telah diangkat—aduhai, kepada siapakah ia jatuh ke bawah?”
देवदूत उवाच
Educational Q&A
It challenges the listener to consider rightful entitlement and karmic destination: when something is taken or set apart as a ‘share’ (piṇḍa), who truly deserves it and who ultimately receives the result—seen or unseen—of that act.
A divine messenger speaks in a probing, almost riddle-like manner, pointing to a ‘lump/portion’ that has been lifted up and questioning where it will end up and to whom it will go—prompting moral reflection within the surrounding dharma discourse of the Anuśāsana Parva.