Shloka 14
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
अथ पृष्ट: शुकः प्राह मूर्धश्ना समभिवाद्य तम् | स्वागतं देवराज त्वं विज्ञातस्तपसा मया
atha pṛṣṭaḥ śukaḥ prāha mūrdhaśnā samabhivādya tam | svāgataṃ devarāja tvaṃ vijñātastapasā mayā ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Lalu Śuka, setelah ditanya, menjawab—mula-mula menundukkan kepala memberi hormat sebagaimana patut. “Selamat datang, wahai raja para dewa. Dengan kekuatan tapa (austeriti)ku, aku telah mengenali tuanku.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and spiritual power of tapas (austerity): inner discipline grants clarity and discernment, enabling one to recognize divine presence. It also models proper conduct—greeting and honoring a superior or guest with respectful salutation.
In Bhīṣma’s narration, Śuka is questioned and responds. Before speaking, he respectfully salutes the visitor and welcomes him, identifying him as Indra (the king of the gods) through the insight gained from his ascetic practice.