Shloka 7
परिक्रान्ता मही सर्वा सत्त्ववन्तश्च सूदिता:।।।।देवदानवरक्षांसि पिशाचोरगकिन्नरा:।न च पश्यामहेऽश्वं तमश्वहर्तारमेव च।।।।किं करिष्याम भद्रं ते बुद्धिरत्र विचार्यताम्।
parikrāntā mahī sarvā sattvavantaś ca sūditāḥ | devadānavarakṣāṁsi piśācōragakinnarāḥ | na ca paśyāmahe ’śvaṁ tam aśvahartāram eva ca | kiṁ kariṣyāma bhadraṁ te buddhir atra vicāryatām ||
“আমরা সমগ্র পৃথিবী পরিক্রমা করেছি এবং বহু বলবান সত্তা—দেব, দানব, রাক্ষস, পিশাচ, নাগ ও কিন্নর—নিহত হয়েছে। তবু সেই অশ্বও দেখি না, অশ্বহর্তাকেও দেখি না। এখন আমরা কী করব? আপনার মঙ্গল হোক—এ বিষয়ে আপনার বিবেচনাই সিদ্ধান্ত করুক।”
'The entire earth was ransacked. Mighty devatas, demons, rakshasas, pisachas, uragas and kinnaras were killed. (Yet) we could neither see the horse nor the thief of the horse. Reflect over this matter and direct us. Prosperity to you'!
FAQs
Ends do not justify means: the sons admit widespread killing in pursuit of the horse, raising the dharmic issue of disproportionate violence and the need for wise, truthful deliberation (buddhi-vicāra) before further action.
After an exhaustive and destructive search, the sons report failure to find the sacrificial horse or the thief and ask Sagara to decide their next step.
Deference to authority and willingness to seek counsel; despite their force, they recognize the need for the king’s discerning judgment.