Shloka 20
Bhaṅgāśvanopākhyāna — On comparative affection in strī–puruṣa union (भङ्गाश्वनोपाख्यानम्)
अटबव्यां च सुघोरायां तृष्णातों नष्टचेतन: । सर: सुरुचिरप्रख्यमपश्यं पक्षिभिवृतम्,उस घोर वनमें प्याससे पीड़ित एवं अचेत-सा होकर मैंने एक सरोवर देखा, जो पक्षियोंसे घिर हुआ और मनोहर शोभासे सम्पन्न था
aṭavīyāṃ ca sughorāyāṃ tṛṣṇārto naṣṭacetanaḥ | saraḥ suruciraprakhyam apaśyaṃ pakṣibhivṛtam ||
Bhīṣma nói: “Trong khu rừng vô cùng ghê rợn ấy, bị cơn khát hành hạ và gần như mất hết tri giác, ta trông thấy một hồ nước—nổi danh bởi vẻ đẹp êm dịu—xung quanh là đàn chim vây kín.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a basic ethical truth: when one is overwhelmed by suffering (here, thirst and near-unconsciousness), seeking sustenance and regaining clarity is a necessary foundation for any higher pursuit of dharma.
Bhishma narrates that while wandering in a terrifying forest, weakened by thirst, he notices a beautiful, famous lake surrounded by birds—setting up the next events that will unfold around this place.