Shloka 24
पीयमाने तु सर्वस्मिंस्तोयेडपि सलिलेश्वर: । सुहृद्धिर्भिक्षमाणो 5पि नैवामुज्चत तां तदा,“जब सारा जल पीया जाने लगा, तब सुहृदोंने जलेश्वर वरुणसे प्रार्थना की तो भी वे भद्राको न छोड़ सके
pīyamāne tu sarvasmiṃs toye 'pi salileśvaraḥ | suhṛdbhir bhikṣamāṇo 'pi naivāmucata tāṃ tadā ||
ولمّا كانت المياه كلّها تُشرب، فإنّ فَرُونَةَ—سيّد المياه—مع أنّ الأصدقاء ذوي النية الحسنة توسّلوا إليه بإلحاح، لم يُطلق سراحها في ذلك الحين.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between rightful appeal and uncompromising authority: even sincere collective entreaty may fail against a powerful holder of control, thereby forcing a deeper consideration of what action is justified when persuasion and request do not work.
As the waters are being drained/consumed, Varuṇa—identified as the lord of waters—is approached and implored by well-wishers, yet he still refuses to release the woman referred to (Bhadrā per the accompanying gloss), maintaining his hold despite the worsening situation.