Shloka 21
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
इसीसे हमलोग अपनी सुध-बुध खोकर अनाथकी तरह इस गड्ढेमें लटक रहे हैं। यदि वह आपके देखनेमें आवे तो हम अनाथोंको सनाथ करनेके लिये उससे इस प्रकार कहियेगा --
tasmād vayaṃ sva-sudhā-buddhī vihāya anāthā iva asmin gartte lambamānāḥ smaḥ | sa cet tava dṛśyeta, tad anāthānāṃ naṭhān-karaṇāya tasmā etad-vidhaṃ vākyaṃ brūyāḥ—
Dahil dito, nawala sa amin ang ulirat at paghatol, at gaya ng mga ulilang walang kanlungan ay nakabitin kami sa hukay na ito. Kung siya’y mapadako sa iyong paningin, upang bigyan ng sandigan kaming walang tagapagtanggol, sabihin mo sa kanya sa ganitong paraan—
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the ethical weight of speech used to protect the vulnerable: when people are distressed and powerless, a responsible intermediary should speak in a way that restores support and safety, not in a way that deepens fear or abandonment.
Takṣaka describes a state of confusion and helplessness—likened to hanging in a pit—and instructs that if a certain person comes into view, he should be addressed with words intended to turn the situation from abandonment (anātha) to protection (sanātha).