Shloka 10
Gautama–Yama Saṃvāda: Mātṛ-Pitṛ-Ṛṇa (Debt to Parents) and Śubha-Loka Attainment
“उस भागते हुए मृगके पीछे मैं अकस्मात् इस वनमें आपलोगोंके समीप आ पहुँचा हूँ। मेरी सारी शोभा नष्ट हो गयी है। मैं हताश होकर भारी परिश्रमसे कष्ट पा रहा हूँ
tasya dhāvato mṛgasya pṛṣṭhato ’haṃ sahasā ’smin vane yuṣmākaṃ samīpam upāgataḥ। mama sarvā śobhā naṣṭā। ahaṃ nirāśaḥ san mahāśrameṇa duḥkham anubhavāmi॥
“तस्य धावतो मृगस्य पृष्ठतोऽहं सहसा वनमिदं भवतां समीपमभ्यगच्छम्। मम सर्वा शोभा नष्टा। अहं हताशो महता श्रमेण क्लिश्यामि।”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how worldly “splendor” can vanish in an instant, and how unchecked pursuit (here symbolized by chasing a deer) can lead to exhaustion and despair—prompting humility and a turn toward dharma-guided reflection.
Bhishma reports that while pursuing a fleeing deer he unexpectedly reached the listeners in the forest; he feels his dignity has been ruined and admits he is hopeless and suffering from intense exertion.