Mahabharata 1.10.3 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 10, Shloka 3
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 10: Ruru’s Vow and Ḍuṇḍubha’s Appeal (रुरोः प्रतिज्ञा—डुण्डुभोपदेशः)
डुण्ड्रुभ उवाच अन््ये ते भुजगा ब्रह्मन् ये दशन्तीह मानवान् | डुण्डुभानहिगन्धेन न त्वं हिंसितुमहसि
Ḍuṇḍrubha uvāca: anye te bhujagā brahman ye daśantīha mānavān | ḍuṇḍubhān ahigandhena na tvaṁ hiṁsitum arhasi ||
Ḍuṇḍrubha said: “O Brahmin, there are other serpents who bite human beings in this world. You should not harm us ḍuṇḍubhas merely because we carry the scent (or resemblance) of snakes.”
डुण्ड्रुभ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not punish or harm beings merely due to outward resemblance or suspicion; ethical action requires discernment—those who actually commit harm should be restrained, not innocents who only appear similar.
Ḍuṇḍrubha addresses a Brahmin and pleads for restraint, arguing that true man-biting serpents are others; the ḍuṇḍubhas should not be attacked simply because they bear a snake-like odor or likeness.
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