Shloka 22
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
अस्मिन्नहं टद्रुमे जात: साधुभिश्न गुणैर्युत: । बालभावेन संगुप्त: शत्रुभिश्षल न धर्षित:
asminn ahaṃ tad-drume jātaḥ sādhubhiś ca guṇair yutaḥ | bāla-bhāvena saṃguptaḥ śatrubhiś ca na dharṣitaḥ ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ଏହି ଗଛରେ ମୋର ଜନ୍ମ; ଏଠାରେ ରହି ସଜ୍ଜନମାନେ ପ୍ରିୟ କରୁଥିବା ଗୁଣରେ ମୁଁ ଯୁକ୍ତ ହୋଇ ବଢ଼ିଛି। ଶିଶୁକୁ ଯେପରି ରକ୍ଷକ ଆଡ଼କୁ ରଖେ, ସେପରି ଏହା ମୋତେ ରକ୍ଷା କଲା; ଶତ୍ରୁମାନେ ମୋତେ ଦମନ କିମ୍ବା ଅପମାନ କରିପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights gratitude and dharmic reflection: one should recognize and honor the sources of one’s safety and moral formation. Protection and nurturing—here symbolized by a tree—enable the cultivation of virtues, and such shelter can render hostility ineffective.
Bhishma speaks in the first person, recalling being born upon/near a particular tree and being raised there. He credits that place/object with safeguarding him like a child, so that enemies could not successfully attack or harm him.