Shloka 3
धर्मव्याधोपदेशः
Dharma-vyādha’s Instruction on Śiṣṭācāra and Dharma
अथ कपोतो राज्ञो दिव्यासनासीनस्योत्सड्रं न््यपतत्,राजा शिबि अपने दिव्य सिंहासनपर बैठे हुए थे। कबूतर उनकी गोदमें जा गिरा
atha kapotaḥ rājñaḥ divyāsanāsīnasya utsaṅgaṁ nyapatat |
Então a pomba caiu de súbito no colo do rei Śibi, sentado em seu esplêndido trono, quase divino—buscando refúgio no próprio assento da autoridade real, onde a retidão é posta à prova.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode frames the king’s dharma as protection of those who seek refuge, even when doing so invites danger or personal loss; true righteousness is tested when the vulnerable arrive unexpectedly.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that while King Śibi is seated on a divine throne, a dove suddenly drops into his lap—an act that signals a plea for shelter and sets up a moral trial for the king.