Shloka 231
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
तस्माल्लम्बामहे गर्ते नष्टसंज्ञा हुनाथवत् | स वक्तव्यस्त्वया दृष्टो हास्माकं नाथवत्तया
tasmāl lambāmahe garte naṣṭasaṃjñā hunāthavat | sa vaktavyas tvayā dṛṣṭo hāsmākaṃ nāthavattayā
“Kaya nga kami’y nakahandusay sa hukay, nawalan ng ulirat, na parang mga taong walang tagapagtanggol. Kung nakita mo siya, dapat mo kaming sabihin—upang muli kaming magkaroon ng tagapagkupkop at hindi manatiling ulila.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral appeal: when others are helpless and ‘without a protector,’ one who has relevant knowledge has a responsibility to speak and guide. It highlights the ethical duty of truthful disclosure when it can restore protection and order.
Takṣaka speaks in a tone of distress, describing a condition of being cast down and senseless ‘in a pit’ like the unprotected. He urges the listener to report what they have seen—specifically about ‘him’—so that Takṣaka’s side may regain a protector/guardian.