Shloka 23
कपिलगोसंवादे गृहस्थ-त्यागधर्मयोः प्रमाण्यविचारः
Kapila–Cow Dialogue: Authority of Householder and Renunciant Dharmas
अतीतास्वथ वर्षासु शरत्काल उपस्थिते । प्राजापत्येन विधिना विश्वासात् काममोहितौ
atītāsv atha varṣāsu śaratkāla upasthite | prājāpatyena vidhinā viśvāsāt kāmamohitau, rājan |
Bhishma disse: Quando a estação das chuvas havia passado e chegara o outono, aqueles pardais—iludidos pelo desejo—uniram-se mutuamente segundo a regra de procriação ordenada por Prajāpati. Confiando na inofensividade e na firmeza do asceta, chegaram a pôr os ovos sobre a cabeça do sábio. O brâmane radiante, rigoroso em seus votos, veio a saber que as aves haviam depositado ovos em suas mechas emaranhadas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how steadfastness in vows and harmlessness can generate trust even among animals; it also frames procreation as a natural, Prajāpati-ordained order, while implicitly praising restraint and responsibility in the face of desire.
As the seasons change from rains to autumn, a pair of sparrows, driven by desire, mate and—trusting an unmoving ascetic—lay their eggs on his head, in his matted locks; the vow-keeping sage becomes aware of this.