Shloka 24
Śibi’s Weighing of Dharma
The Hawk and the Dove Trial) — शिबेर्धर्मतुला (श्येन-कपोतोक्तिः
ऊरू राज्ञ: समासाद्य कपोत: श्येनजाद भयात् । शरणार्थी तदा राजन् निलिल्ये भयपीडित:,अपनी रक्षाके लिये आश्रय चाहनेवाला कबूतर बाजके भयसे डरकर राजाकी गोदीमें जा छिपा
ūrū rājñaḥ samāsādya kapotaḥ śyenajād bhayāt | śaraṇārthī tadā rājan nililye bhayapīḍitaḥ ||
Dikejar ketakutan oleh helang, merpati itu bergegas ke pangkuan raja. Memohon perlindungan, wahai Raja, ia bersembunyi di situ, dihimpit rasa gentar.
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes granting refuge to the frightened and helpless; once someone seeks shelter, the protector is ethically bound to safeguard them, even amid competing claims.
A pigeon, pursued by a hawk, escapes and takes shelter in the king’s lap, explicitly becoming a refugee under royal protection and setting up a moral test of rājadharma.