Shloka 18
कुमाराभिषेकप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Kumāra (Skanda) Investiture at Sarasvatī
कृत्वाज्जलिं ततो राजन् राक्षसा: क्षुधयार्दिता:
kṛtvāñjaliṃ tato rājan rākṣasāḥ kṣudhayārditāḥ
Da, o König, falteten die Rākṣasas—vom Hunger gequält—die Hände in flehentlicher Bitte. Dieser Augenblick zeigt, dass selbst die Wilden und Gewalttätigen, wenn sie vom Leid bedrängt werden, sich zur Demut wenden und Linderung durch ehrerbietiges Bitten suchen, nicht durch Gewalt.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Suffering can soften pride and aggression; even those known for violence may adopt humility and respectful conduct when confronted with need. The verse highlights the ethical power of restraint and supplication over coercion.
Vaishampayana reports that the rākṣasas, distressed by hunger, approach with folded hands (añjali), indicating a plea for help or permission rather than an immediate act of violence.