Shloka 45
अध्याय ५६ — च्यवन–कुशिकसंवादः
Cyavana–Kuśika Dialogue on Lineage, Conflict, and Transmission
तौ दृष्टवा पौरवर्गस्तु भूशं शोकसमाकुल: । अभिशापभयत्रस्तो न च किंचिदुवाच ह
tau dṛṣṭvā pauravargas tu bhūśaṁ śokasamākulaḥ | abhiśāpabhayatrasto na ca kiñcid uvāca ha ||
Als die Stadtbewohner die beiden in so erbarmungswürdigem Zustand sahen, wurden sie von tiefem Kummer überwältigt. Doch aus Furcht, den Fluch eines Weisen auf sich zu ziehen, wagte niemand auch nur ein Wort zu sagen.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension: people may feel genuine compassion, yet fear of spiritual or social repercussions can paralyze speech and action. It implicitly critiques silence born of fear, even when one witnesses suffering.
Bhīṣma describes a scene where the citizens see two individuals in distress. The crowd is deeply saddened, but because they dread a sage’s curse, they remain silent and do not intervene or speak.