Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 22
गले गृहीत्वा क्षिप्तो5स्मि वरुणेन महामुने । न प्रयच्छति ते भार्या यत् ते कार्य कुरुष्व तत्
gale gṛhītvā kṣipto 'smi varuṇena mahāmune | na prayacchati te bhāryā yat te kārya kuruṣva tat ||
Arjuna said: “O great sage, Varuṇa seized me by the throat and hurled me aside. He is not granting you your wife. Now do whatever you deem necessary to accomplish your purpose.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic dilemma: when confronted by a powerful authority refusing a rightful request, one must still choose action thoughtfully—doing what is necessary without abandoning ethical discernment. Arjuna reports the obstruction and defers to the sage’s judgment, implying that the appropriate response should be guided by the one whose duty and stake are primary.
Arjuna tells a great sage that Varuṇa physically overpowered him—grabbing his throat and throwing him aside—and that Varuṇa is refusing to hand over the sage’s wife. Arjuna then urges the sage to decide and undertake whatever action is required to achieve his objective.