Shloka 17
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
वीरणस्तम्बके लग्ना: सर्वतः परिभक्षिते | मूषकेन निगूढेन गर्तेडस्मिन् नित्यवासिना,“आप जिस वीरणस्तम्ब (खस नामक तिनकोंके समूह) -को पकड़कर लटक रहे हैं, उसे इस गड़ढेमें गुप्तरूपसे नित्य निवास करनेवाले चूहेने सब ओरसे प्राय: खा लिया है”
vīraṇa-stambake lagnāḥ sarvataḥ paribhakṣite | mūṣakeṇa nigūḍhena garte 'smin nitya-vāsinā ||
Śaunaka disse: «O tufo de relva vīraṇa ao qual vos agarrastes foi quase todo roído, por todos os lados, por um rato oculto que habita perpetuamente neste fosso.»
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
That one’s apparent support can be silently weakened by hidden forces—symbolically, time and gradual decay—so a wise person should not cling blindly but recognize impermanence and act with discernment.
A warning is given to someone hanging onto a tuft of vīraṇa grass: a concealed mouse living in the pit has nearly eaten through it, meaning the person’s hold is about to fail.