Shloka 44
Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
स सुप्त इव चाण्डाल: श्लेष्मापिहितलोचन: । परिभिजन्नस्वरो रूक्ष: प्रोवाचाप्रियदर्शन:,वह चाण्डाल सोया हुआ जान पड़ता था। उसकी आँखें कीचड़से बंद-सी हो गयी थीं; परंतु वह जागता था। वह देखनेमें बड़ा भयानक था। स्वभावका रूखा भी प्रतीत होता था। मुनिको आया देख वह फटे हुए स्वरमें बोल उठा
sa supta iva cāṇḍālaḥ śleṣmāpihita-locanaḥ | paribhijann asvaro rūkṣaḥ provācāpriya-darśanaḥ ||
Bhīṣma disse: O Caṇḍāla parecia estar dormindo, com os olhos como que selados por catarro. Contudo, estava desperto. Terrível de contemplar e de índole áspera, falou com voz quebrada e áspera. Essa imagem enquadra a tensão ética entre julgar pela aparência exterior e discernir a consciência e a intenção interiores.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up an ethical contrast: outward signs—uncleanliness, harshness, frightening appearance—can mislead moral judgment. It prepares the listener to consider that dharma requires discernment beyond surface impressions, especially regarding marginalized persons.
Bhishma describes a Caṇḍāla who looks asleep with eyes crusted over, yet is awake. He appears frightening and rough, and then speaks in a broken, harsh voice—introducing a charged encounter that tests perception and moral response.