Shloka 22
धर्मव्याधोपदेशः
Dharma-vyādha’s Instruction on Śiṣṭācāra and Dharma
पुनरन्यमुज्चकर्त गुरुतर. एव कपोतः । एवं सर्व समधिकृत्य शरीरं तुलायामारोपयामास । तत् तथापि गुरुतर एव कपोत आसीत्,राजाने फिर दूसरी बार अपने शरीरका मांस काटकर रखा, तो भी कबूतरका ही पलड़ा भारी रहा। इस प्रकार क्रमश: उन्होंने अपने सभी अंगोंका मांस काट-काटकर तराजूपर चढ़ाया तो भी कबूतर ही भारी रहा
punar anyam uccakartur gurutara eva kapotaḥ | evaṁ sarvaṁ samadhikṛtya śarīraṁ tulāyām āropayāmāsa | tat tathāpi gurutara eva kapota āsīt |
Muli, pumutol ang hari ng higit pang laman at inilagay sa timbangan; ngunit nanatiling mas mabigat ang panig ng kalapati. Kaya, unti-unti, inialay niya sa timbangan ang laman mula sa lahat ng kanyang mga sangkap, subalit kahit noon, ang kalapati lamang ang patuloy na nakahihigit sa bigat.
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is tested when compassion conflicts with personal cost: a ruler must protect one who seeks refuge, even if fulfilling that vow demands extreme self-sacrifice. The unchanging heaviness of the pigeon signifies that ethical duty cannot be satisfied by partial measures or convenient substitutes.
The hawk challenges the king’s promise to protect the pigeon by demanding equivalent flesh as compensation. The king repeatedly cuts and places more of his own flesh on the scale, yet the pigeon’s side remains heavier, intensifying the moral trial and highlighting the king’s unwavering commitment to protect the helpless.