Shloka 1
लुब्धक-कपोत-कपोती-आख्यानम्
The Hunter and the Pigeon Couple: Expiation and Refuge-Ethics
चतुश्नत्वारिशर्दाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: कबूतरद्वारा अपनी भार्याका गुणगान तथा पतिव्रता स्त्रीकी प्रशंसा भीष्म उवाच अथ वृक्षस्य शाखायां विहड़: ससुहृज्जनः । दीर्घकालोषितो राजंस्तत्र चित्रतनूरुह:
Bhīṣma uvāca: atha vṛkṣasya śākhāyāṃ vihaṅgaḥ sa-suhṛj-janaḥ | dīrgha-kāloṣito rājan tatra citra-tanūruhaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “O Hari, sa isang sanga ng isang punongkahoy ay matagal na nanirahan ang isang ibon—isang kalapati—kasama ang mga kaibigang tapat. Ang katawan nito’y may balahibong sari-saring kulay.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse initiates a moral exemplum: through the pigeon’s household life, the discourse will highlight dharma in domestic relations—especially the virtues of fidelity, mutual support, and the ideal of the devoted wife (pativratā) within righteous living.
Bhishma begins a story by describing the setting: a long-resident bird (understood as a pigeon in this episode) lives on a tree branch with its companions, characterized by mottled feathers—preparing the listener for the ensuing ethical narrative.