Shloka 17
आस्तीक-उपाख्यान-प्रस्तावः | Introduction to the Āstīka Narrative
वीरणस्तम्बके लग्ना: सर्वतः परिभक्षिते | मूषकेन निगूढेन गर्तेडस्मिन् नित्यवासिना,“आप जिस वीरणस्तम्ब (खस नामक तिनकोंके समूह) -को पकड़कर लटक रहे हैं, उसे इस गड़ढेमें गुप्तरूपसे नित्य निवास करनेवाले चूहेने सब ओरसे प्राय: खा लिया है”
vīraṇa-stambake lagnāḥ sarvataḥ paribhakṣite | mūṣakeṇa nigūḍhena garte 'smin nitya-vāsinā ||
Sinabi ni Śaunaka: “Ang kumpol ng damong vīraṇa na inyong kinakapitan ay halos nalantad at nakain sa lahat ng panig ng isang nakatagong daga na palaging naninirahan sa hukay na ito.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
That one’s apparent support can be silently weakened by hidden forces—symbolically, time and gradual decay—so a wise person should not cling blindly but recognize impermanence and act with discernment.
A warning is given to someone hanging onto a tuft of vīraṇa grass: a concealed mouse living in the pit has nearly eaten through it, meaning the person’s hold is about to fail.