Shloka 27
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
सराजा पार्श्वतश्चैव बाहुभ्यामूरुतश्च॒ यत्,राजा अपनी पसलियों, भुजाओं और जाँघोंसे मांस काटकर जल्दी-जल्दी तराजू भरने लगे। तथापि वह मांसराशि उस कबूतरके बराबर नहीं हुई
sa rājā pārśvataś caiva bāhubhyām ūrutaś ca yat |
स राजा पार्श्वतश्चैव बाहुभ्यामूरुतश्च यत्। मांसं छित्त्वा त्वरितं तुलां पूरयामास; तथापि सा मांसरााशिः कपोतसमां न बभूव।
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is to protect one who seeks refuge, even at great personal cost. The scene emphasizes that ethical duty is not satisfied by superficial equivalence; true commitment may demand complete self-offering and steadfast adherence to one’s vow.
In the hawk-and-dove episode narrated by the hawk (śyena), the king tries to save the dove by offering his own flesh in exchange. He cuts flesh from his body to fill the scale, but the flesh still does not match the dove’s weight, intensifying the test of the king’s resolve and compassion.