Shloka 16
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
शोचते चैव कारुण्याच्छूणु ये वै वयं द्विज । यायावरा नाम वयमृषय: संशितव्रता:,इसीलिये लोकमें विख्यात पौरुषवाले आप-जैसे महापुरुषको हम पहचान नहीं पा रहे हैं। आप कोई महान् सौभाग्यशाली महापुरुष हैं, जो अत्यन्त दुःखमें पड़े हुए हम-जैसे शोचनीय प्राणियोंके लिये करुणावश शोक कर रहे हैं। ब्रह्म! हमलोग कौन हैं इसका परिचय देते हैं, सुनिये। हम अत्यन्त कठोर व्रतका पालन करनेवाले यायावर नामक महर्षि हैं
takṣaka uvāca | śocate caiva kāruṇyāc chṛṇu ye vai vayaṃ dvija | yāyāvarā nāma vayam ṛṣayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Takṣaka: “Nagdadalamhati ka dahil sa habag—makinig ka, O dalawang-ulit na isinilang. Kami ang mga pantas na tinatawag na Yāyāvara, mga rishi na mahigpit sa panata. Naantig sa awa sa aming nasa kapighatian, ikaw ay nananangis; kaya pakinggan mo kung sino kami.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds compassion (kāruṇya) as a dharmic response to others’ suffering, and it frames ethical dialogue through truthful self-disclosure: the speaker asks the listener to hear their identity and status as vow-observant sages.
Takṣaka addresses a Brahmin, noting that the Brahmin is grieving out of compassion for them. Takṣaka then begins an introduction, stating that they belong to the group known as the Yāyāvara sages, characterized by strict vows.