Mahabharata 1.173.9 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 173, Shloka 9
कल्माषपाद-शाप-कारणम्
Cause of Kalmāṣapāda’s Niyoga under a Curse
वारिणा च सुशीतेन शिरस्तस्याभ्यषेचयत् । अस्फुटन्मुकुटं राज्ञ: पुण्डरीकसुगन्धिना
vāriṇā ca suśītena śirastasya abhyasecayat | asphuṭan mukuṭaṁ rājñaḥ puṇḍarīka-sugandhinā |
Der Gandharva sprach: „Er besprengte das Haupt des Königs mit sehr kühlem Wasser, das nach Lotus duftete. Das Diadem des Königs war weder gesprungen noch zerschmettert—ein Zeichen, dass er im Kampf nicht verwundet worden war.“
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights attentive observation and inference: outward signs (an unbroken crown) can indicate the absence of serious harm, and proper care (cool, lotus-scented water) reflects respectful service to a ruler.
A Gandharva narrates that someone anoints/sprinkles the king’s head with cool, lotus-fragrant water; the king’s diadem remains unbroken, suggesting he was not injured in battle.
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