Shloka 14
Viṣṇor Māhātmya and Indriya-saṃyama (विष्णोर्माहात्म्यं तथा इन्द्रियसंयमः)
ततः स हरिणो गत्वा पदान्यष्टौ न्यवर्तत । साधु हिंसय मां सत्य हतो यास्यामि सद्गतिम्
tataḥ sa hariṇo gatvā padāny aṣṭau nyavartata | sādhu hiṃsaya māṃ satya hato yāsyāmi sadgatim ||
Então o cervo avançou oito passos, voltou-se e disse: “Ó Satya, faze o que é correto—mata-me segundo o rito. Morto como vítima sacrificial no yajña, alcançarei um destino bem-aventurado.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: violence is ordinarily blameworthy, yet within a sacrificial framework it is presented as ‘proper’ when performed according to rule and intention. It raises ethical questions about duty, ritual authorization, and the belief that a sacrificial death can lead to a higher destiny.
A deer walks forward a short distance, then turns back and addresses Satya, urging him to kill it ‘properly’ so that, as a sacrificial victim, it may attain a blessed state. Nārada is the narrator/speaker of this episode.