Shloka 26
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 178 — Royal Contestants Assemble; Cosmic Witnesses; The Bow Remains Unstrung
ततस्ते मोहमापन्ना राजानो नष्टदृष्टय: । ब्राह्मणीं शरणं जममुर्दृष्ट्यूर्थ तामनिन्दिताम्,फिर मोहके वशीभूत हो अपनी दृष्टिको खो देनेवाले क्षत्रियोंने पुनः दृष्टि प्राप्त करनेके लिये उसी सती-साध्वी ब्राह्मगीकी शरण ली
tatas te moham āpannā rājāno naṣṭa-dṛṣṭayaḥ | brāhmaṇīṁ śaraṇaṁ jagmur dṛṣṭy-artham tāṁ aninditām ||
Then those kings, overcome by delusion and having lost their sight, went for refuge to that blameless Brahmin woman, seeking to regain their vision.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
Delusion and moral error can lead to loss—symbolized here by blindness—and recovery begins with humility: seeking refuge in the blameless and dharmic rather than persisting in pride or force.
A group of kings, having become deluded and losing their sight, approach a virtuous Brahmin woman for protection and help, specifically to regain their vision.