Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 23
Sarasvatī-Śāpavimokṣa, Rākṣasa-Mokṣa, and Aruṇā-Tīrtha
Indra–Namuci Expiation
तां कृशां च विवर्णा च दृष्टवा चिन्तासमन्विताम् | उवाच राजन धर्मात्मा वसिष्ठो द्विपदां वर:,राजन! उसे दुर्बल, उदास और चिन्तामग्न देख मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ धर्मात्मा वसिष्ठने कहा
tāṃ kṛśāṃ ca vivarṇāṃ ca dṛṣṭvā cintāsamanvitām | uvāca rājan dharmātmā vasiṣṭho dvipadāṃ varaḥ ||
Seeing her—emaciated, pale, and overwhelmed by anxious thoughts—the righteous-souled Vasiṣṭha, foremost among men, addressed the king. The verse frames a dharmic intervention: a sage responds to visible suffering with counsel meant to restore steadiness and right conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic leader or sage does not ignore suffering; recognizing the signs of distress, he responds with timely speech and guidance. The verse highlights compassionate attention as the first step toward restoring dharma and inner steadiness.
The narrator describes a scene where a woman is visibly weakened and anxious. Observing her condition, the sage Vasiṣṭha—renowned for righteousness—addresses the king, preparing to offer counsel or instruction in response to the crisis.
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