Shloka 17
Śaraṇāgata-Atithi-Dharma in the Kapota Narrative (कपोत-आख्यानम्—शरणागतधर्मः)
सरांसि सरितश्लैव कूपा: प्रस्रवणानि च । हतत्विषो न लक्ष्यन्ते निसर्गाद् दैवकारितात्,बड़े-बड़े सरोवर, सरिताएँ, कूप और झरने भी उस दैवविहित अथवा स्वाभाविक अनावृष्टिसे श्रीहीन होकर दिखायी ही नहीं देते थे
sarāṃsi saritaś caiva kūpāḥ prasravaṇāni ca | hatatviṣo na lakṣyante nisargād daivakāritāt ||
تالاب، ندیاں، کنویں اور چشمے—سب کی رونق ماند پڑ گئی تھی؛ وہ قحطِ باراں خواہ طبعی ہو یا تقدیر کا لکھا، اس کے سبب وہ پہلے کی طرح نظر نہ آتے تھے۔
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the vulnerability of even essential natural supports (water sources) to forces described as natural (nisarga) or fate-ordained (daiva). Ethically, it encourages humility and steadiness in adversity, and cautions rulers and communities to recognize limits of control while responding responsibly to suffering.
Bhishma is describing a time of severe drought: lakes, rivers, wells, and springs have lost their visible fullness and sheen, becoming so diminished that they scarcely appear. The scene sets a backdrop of widespread hardship and environmental collapse.