Shloka 23
Takṣaka’s agency, Parīkṣit’s rites, and Janamejaya’s enthronement (वैयासिक परम्परा-प्रसङ्गः)
न हि तं राजशार्टूल॑ क्षमाशीलो महामुनि: । स्वधर्मनिरतं भूपं समाक्षिप्तो5प्यधर्षयत्,राजाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भूपाल परीक्षित् अपने धर्मके पालनमें तत्पर रहते थे, अत: उस समय उनके द्वारा तिरस्कृत होनेपर भी क्षमाशील महामुनिने उन्हें अपमानित नहीं किया
na hi taṃ rājaśārṭūla kṣamāśīlo mahāmuniḥ | svadharmanirataṃ bhūpaṃ samākṣipto 'py adharṣayat ||
O tiger among kings, the great sage—patient and forbearing by nature—did not retaliate against that ruler who was devoted to his own royal duty, even though he had been insulted. The episode shows that true ascetic strength lies in restraint, and that a king’s steadfastness in dharma is no warrant for contempt, but calls forth measured forbearance in the wise.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣamā (forbearance) as a mark of true greatness: even when insulted, a wise sage does not retaliate. Ethical strength is shown through restraint, especially in tense encounters between spiritual authority and royal power.
Śaunaka addresses an eminent king and explains that a great sage, though insulted, did not strike back at the king who was intent on fulfilling his royal dharma. The focus is on the sage’s patience and the moral framing of the king’s conduct as ‘svadharma’-oriented.