Shloka 7
परिक्षिद्वृत्तान्तप्रश्नः
Inquiry into Parīkṣit’s Conduct and the Beginnings of His Downfall
वीरणस्तम्बके मूलं यदप्येकमिह स्थितम् | तदप्ययं शनैराखुरादत्ते दशनै: शितै:,“खशके इस गुच्छेमें जो मूलका एक तन्तु यहाँ बचा है, उसे भी यह चूहा अपने तीखे दाँतोंसे धीरे-धीरे कुतर रहा है
vīraṇastambake mūlaṃ yad apy ekam iha sthitam | tad apy ayaṃ śanair ākhur ādatte daśanaiḥ śitaiḥ ||
Takṣaka nói: “Ngay cả sợi rễ duy nhất còn sót lại của bụi cỏ vīraṇa này—con chuột kia cũng đang từ từ gặm nát nó bằng những chiếc răng sắc.”
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Persistent, incremental forces can destroy even what appears firmly established; therefore one should not be complacent but remain alert to slow-building dangers and moral decline.
Takṣaka points to a mouse gnawing at the last remaining root-fibre of a clump of vīraṇa grass, using it as a vivid example of how something can be steadily undermined little by little.