Shloka 18
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
उक्त्वा सकृत् तथा सर्वान् विकर्ण: पृथिवीपतीन् । पाणौ पार्णिं विनिष्पिष्य नि:श्व॒सन्निदमब्रवीत्
uktvā sakṛt tathā sarvān vikarṇaḥ pṛthivīpatīn | pāṇau pārṇiṃ viniṣpiṣya niḥśvasann idam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Nachdem Vikarna sich abermals an all jene Könige gewandt hatte und trotz wiederholten Drängens keine Antwort erhielt, rieb er die Hände aneinander, stieß einen langen Seufzer aus und sprach diese Worte—ein Zeichen sowohl seiner Beklemmung als auch seines moralischen Entschlusses inmitten des Schweigens der Versammlung.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical urgency in a public crisis: when those responsible remain silent, a conscientious person may feel compelled to speak, even at personal risk. Vikarna’s sigh and hand-wringing underscore inner conflict turning into moral resolve.
In the royal assembly, Vikarna has repeatedly appealed to the gathered kings for a response. Receiving none, he shows visible distress—rubbing his hands and sighing—and then begins to speak, setting up his forthcoming argument about what is right in the situation.