Shloka 15
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
येन त्वा नाभिजानीमो लोके विख्यातपौरुषम् । वृद्धो भवान् महाभागो यो न: शोच्यान् सुदु:ःखितान्,इसीलिये लोकमें विख्यात पौरुषवाले आप-जैसे महापुरुषको हम पहचान नहीं पा रहे हैं। आप कोई महान् सौभाग्यशाली महापुरुष हैं, जो अत्यन्त दुःखमें पड़े हुए हम-जैसे शोचनीय प्राणियोंके लिये करुणावश शोक कर रहे हैं। ब्रह्म! हमलोग कौन हैं इसका परिचय देते हैं, सुनिये। हम अत्यन्त कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले यायावर नामक महर्षि हैं
yena tvā nābhijānīmo loke vikhyāta-pauruṣam | vṛddho bhavān mahābhāgo yo naḥ śocyān suduḥkhitān ||
“Por isso não conseguimos reconhecê-lo — embora o seu valor seja afamado por todo o mundo. Sois um ancião de grande ventura, um nobre de alta estirpe, pois, por compaixão, lamentais por seres dignos de pena como nós, afundados em extrema aflição.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights karuṇā (compassion) as a mark of true nobility: a genuinely great person is moved to grieve for the suffering of others, even when those others are socially insignificant or pitiable.
Takṣaka addresses an elder renowned for valor, expressing surprise that such a famous figure is showing compassionate sorrow for them; this sets a tone of humility and introduces the speaker’s appeal within the ongoing encounter.