Shloka 22
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
नष्टमात्मनि संलीनं नाधिजम्मुर्ठुताशनम् । ततः संजातसंत्रासानग्निदर्शनलालसान्
naṣṭam ātmani saṁlīnaṁ nādhijagmur hutaśanam | tataḥ saṁjāta-saṁtrāsā agni-darśana-lālasān devatān ekaḥ jalacaro meḍhako ’gni-tejasā dagdhaḥ klānta-citto rasātalād ūrdhvam āgataḥ provāca ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Naglahong parang nagkubli sa sarili ang Apoy, kaya’t hindi ito maabot ng mga diyos. Pagkaraan, ang mga diyos—nababalisa ngunit sabik na masilayan si Agni—ay kinausap ng isang palakang naninirahan sa tubig, na napaso sa ningas at pagod ang diwa, na umahon mula sa Rasātala, ang kailaliman. Sa gayon, lumilihis ang salaysay sa patotoo ng isang hamak na nilalang, na nagpapakita na maging ang mababa ay maaaring maging saksi ng aral kapag nalilito ang makapangyarihan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and divinity may withdraw beyond ordinary reach; when the great are perplexed, insight can arise from unexpected, humble sources. The episode also highlights the ethical value of truthful witness—one who has directly suffered the consequences (burnt by Agni) can speak with authority.
Agni has disappeared by merging into itself, so the gods cannot find or approach it. The gods become fearful yet eager to see Agni, and a water-dwelling frog—scorched by Agni’s heat and having come up from Rasātala—begins to speak to them, advancing the story.