Shloka 52
Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)
तेषां प्रियां प्रार्थयतो न ते भुवि गत्वा दिवं वा शरणं भविष्यति । न वर्तते कीचक ते दृशा शुभं या तेन संजीवनमर्थयेत सा,कीचक! उन गन्धर्वोकी प्रियतमासे ऐसी अनुचित प्रार्थना करके पृथ्वी अथवा आकाशमें भाग जानेपर भी तुझे कोई शरण देनेवाला नहीं मिलेगा। (तू इतना कामान्ध हो गया है कि) तुझे वह शुभ दृष्टि--वह बुद्धि नहीं प्राप्त होती, जो तेरी मंगलकामना करे-- जिससे तेरा जीवन सुरक्षित रह सके
teṣāṁ priyāṁ prārthayato na te bhuvi gatvā divaṁ vā śaraṇaṁ bhaviṣyati | na vartate kīcaka te dṛśā śubhaṁ yā tena saṁjīvanam arthayet sā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Kīcaka, by making such improper advances toward the beloved of those Gandharvas, you will find no refuge—neither on earth nor even if you flee to the sky. In you there is no auspicious ‘sight’—no right-minded discernment—that would seek your welfare and preserve your life.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained desire and unethical pursuit of another’s beloved destroy discernment and invite inevitable consequences; without right judgment (śubhā dṛṣṭi), one cannot secure one’s own welfare or safety.
In the Kīcaka episode of the Virāṭa Parva, a stern warning is issued to Kīcaka for his improper advances toward the woman claimed to be dear to Gandharvas; he is told that no place—earth or sky—will provide refuge, because his lust has eclipsed the prudent insight that could save his life.