Shloka 4
कपोती-विलापः स्वर्गसंयोगश्च
The Dove’s Lament and Celestial Reunion
राजन! शिबि आदि महात्मा राजाओंने तो शरणागतोंकी रक्षा करके ही परम सिद्धि प्राप्त कर ली थी ।। श्रूयते च कपोतेन शत्रु: शरणमागत: । पूजितश्न यथान्यायं स्वैश्व मांसैर्निमन्त्रित:
rājan! śibi-ādayo mahātmā rājānaḥ tu śaraṇāgatānāṃ rakṣāṃ kṛtvā eva paramāṃ siddhiṃ prāptāḥ. śrūyate ca kapotena śatruḥ śaraṇam āgataḥ; pūjitaś ca yathā-nyāyaṃ svaiś ca māṃsair nimantritaḥ.
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O Hari, ang mga haring dakila ang loob, mula kay Śibi, ay nakamit ang pinakamataas na siddhi sa mismong pagprotekta sa mga humihingi ng kanlungan. At sinasabi rin sa salaysay na maging isang kalapati ay tumanggap sa kaaway na dumulog upang magkubli—pinarangalan siya ayon sa nararapat, at inanyayahang magpiging sa sariling laman nito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The highest ethical and spiritual success for a ruler lies in protecting those who seek refuge (śaraṇāgata-rakṣā). Dharma demands that even an enemy who comes surrendering be treated with due honour and safeguarded, even at personal cost.
Bhīṣma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira by citing famous exemplars: kings like Śibi achieved supreme attainment through protecting suppliants. He further recalls a traditional tale in which a pigeon receives an enemy seeking shelter and, observing proper hospitality, offers even its own flesh—an extreme illustration of refuge-protection and guest-duty.