Shloka 1936
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
नैच्छन्त तं भक्षयितुं पापकर्माणमित्युत । राक्षसराजके इस प्रकार आदेश देनेपर भी भयानक पराक्रमी राक्षसोंने गौतमको खानेकी इच्छा नहीं की; क्योंकि वह घोर पापाचारी था
naicchanta taṁ bhakṣayituṁ pāpakarmāṇam ity uta | rākṣasarājake
قال بهيشما: «لم يرغبوا في التهامه قائلين: ‘إنه رجلٌ ذو أعمال آثمة.’» وهكذا، حتى حين أصدر ملك الرَّاكْشَسَا أمره، لم تكن لتلك الرَّاكْشَسَا المهيبة الشديدة البأس رغبةٌ في أكل غوتَما، لأنه كان فاعلَ شرٍّ عظيم.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even beings known for violence recognize moral pollution: extreme sinfulness is portrayed as repulsive and unworthy, suggesting that adharma carries consequences that extend beyond legal punishment—one’s very person becomes ethically tainted and socially rejected.
Bhishma narrates that a Rakshasa-king orders his Rakshasas to devour Gautama, but they refuse, declaring him a grievous sinner; despite the command, they do not wish to eat him because of his wicked conduct.