Shloka 14
Janamejaya’s Appeal for Pacification and Śaunaka’s Counsel on Humility (जनमेजय-शौनक संवादः)
हर्षेण महता5<विष्टो वाक््यं व्याकुललोचन: । तथेमं शकुनिं दृष्टवा विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा,शास्त्रीय विधिसे सत्कार पा उसने बड़े हर्षमें भरकर डबडबायी हुई आँखोंसे कबूतरकी ओर देखकर कहा--
harṣeṇa mahatāviṣṭo vākyam vyākula-locanaḥ | tathā imaṃ śakuniṃ dṛṣṭvā vidhi-dṛṣṭena karmaṇā satkāram cakāra, harṣa-bharād dṛṣṭiḥ sajalā babhūva; kapotaṃ prati nirīkṣya uvāca ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: Napuspos siya ng matinding galak; nanginginig at namumuo ang luha sa kanyang mga mata habang tinitingnan niya ang ibon at nagsalita. Nang makita niya ang śakuni (ang ibon) at kumilos ayon sa itinakda ng banal na tuntunin, ipinagkaloob niya ang nararapat na pag-aasikaso—sapagkat ginagalang niya ang dharma at ang tungkuling parangalan ang panauhin.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights atithi-dharma: one should honor a guest (even a vulnerable creature seeking refuge) according to righteous injunctions, with sincerity and compassion rather than mere formality.
A character, moved with great joy and emotion, sees the bird (śakuni/kapota) and, following scriptural propriety, offers it respectful hospitality, then speaks to it—setting up an ethical episode about duty and protection.