Shloka 15
आशा-कृशता उपाख्यानम्
The Episode on the Emaciation Caused by Hope
राजन! वह वेगशाली मृग अपनी इच्छासे ही राजाके निकट आ-आकर पुनः बड़े वेगसे आगे भागता था ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | rājan, sa vegavān mṛgaḥ svayameva rājñaḥ samīpam āgatya punar mahāvegāt purato ’padhāvati sma || sa tasya bāṇair bahubhiḥ samabhyastaḥ vane-caraḥ | prakrīḍann iva rājendra punar abhyeti cāntikam ||
Bhīṣma disse: “Ó rei, aquele veado veloz, por vontade própria, aproximava-se repetidas vezes do rei e depois, com grande rapidez, disparava adiante. Embora tivesse sido muitas vezes atingido por numerosas flechas do rei, o veado errante da floresta continuava a voltar para as proximidades do rei como se brincasse, atraindo-o à perseguição uma e outra vez.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a target seems within reach, repeated provocation can be a trap: a ruler should not let excitement, pride, or fascination override discernment. The deer’s ‘playful’ returns illustrate how the mind can be drawn into unwise pursuit despite clear signs of harm or futility.
A swift deer, though pierced by many arrows, repeatedly comes close to the king and then bolts away again, as if teasing him. The scene functions as an illustrative example within Bhishma’s instruction, highlighting the dynamics of lure, pursuit, and the need for controlled judgment.