Shloka 3
Jaradkāru Encounters the Pitṛs
Jaratkāru-Pitṛdarśana
कृश उवाच राज्ञा परिक्षिता तात मृगयां परिधावता । अवसक्तः पितुस्तेड्द्य मृत: स्कन्धे भुजड्रम:,कृशने कहा--तात! आज राजा परीक्षित् अपने शिकारके पीछे दौड़ते हुए आये थे। उन्होंने तुम्हारे पिताके कंधेपर मृतक साँप रख दिया है
kṛśa uvāca rājñā parīkṣitā tāta mṛgayāṃ paridhāvatā | avasaktaḥ pituḥ te ’dya mṛtaḥ skandhe bhujaṅgamaḥ ||
Sumagot si Kr̥śa: “Mahal na bata, ngayong araw si Haring Parīkṣit, habang tumatakbo sa paghabol sa pangangaso, ay naparito. Ikinabit niya ang isang patay na ahas sa balikat ng iyong ama.”
कृश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a ruler’s lapse in restraint—especially when driven by pursuit and agitation—can become an ethical transgression that triggers grave consequences, underscoring the dharmic expectation of self-control and respect toward ascetics and elders.
Kṛśa informs a young listener that King Parīkṣit, while engaged in hunting, has placed a dead snake on the listener’s father’s shoulder—an insulting act that sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and its repercussions.