Shloka 22
Cavana’s Tests of Kuśika and the Queen (अध्याय ५३: च्यवन–कुशिक-परिक्षा)
परिखेदपरित्रासाज्जालस्यथाकर्षणेन च । मत्स्या बभूवुर्व्यापन्ना: स्थलसंस्पर्शनेन च
parikhedaparitrāsāj jālasya athākarṣaṇena ca | matsyā babhūvur vyāpannāḥ sthala-saṁsparśanena ca ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Dahil sa matinding pagod at sindak na dulot ng lambat, at sa mismong paghila nito, at dahil din sa pagdikit sa tuyong lupa, maraming isda ang namatay. Nang makita ng pantas ang paglipol na ito sa mga isda, napuno siya ng habag at paulit-ulit na humugot ng mahahabang buntong-hininga.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even unintended or routine acts (like catching fish) can cause intense suffering; the ethically awakened person responds with compassion and remorse, recognizing the weight of harm (hiṁsā) and valuing mercy (dayā).
Fish are trapped and dragged in a net; the strain, fear, and contact with dry land kill many of them. A sage witnesses this destruction and, moved by pity, repeatedly sighs in grief.