Shloka 18
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 68 — Pāṇḍavānāṃ Vanavāsa-prasthānaḥ; Duḥśāsana-nindā; Pāṇḍava-pratijñāḥ
उक्त्वा सकृत् तथा सर्वान् विकर्ण: पृथिवीपतीन् । पाणौ पार्णिं विनिष्पिष्य नि:श्व॒सन्निदमब्रवीत्,उन सब राजाओंसे बार-बार आग्रह करनेपर भी जब कुछ उत्तर नहीं मिला, तब विकर्णने हाथ-पर-हाथ मलते हुए लंबी साँस खींचकर कहा--
uktvā sakṛt tathā sarvān vikarṇaḥ pṛthivīpatīn | pāṇau pārṇiṃ viniṣpiṣya niḥśvasann idam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having thus addressed all those kings once again, Vikarna—finding no reply despite repeated urging—rubbed his hands together, drew a long sigh, and spoke these words, signaling both his frustration and his moral resolve amid the assembly’s silence.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical urgency in a public crisis: when those responsible remain silent, a conscientious person may feel compelled to speak, even at personal risk. Vikarna’s sigh and hand-wringing underscore inner conflict turning into moral resolve.
In the royal assembly, Vikarna has repeatedly appealed to the gathered kings for a response. Receiving none, he shows visible distress—rubbing his hands and sighing—and then begins to speak, setting up his forthcoming argument about what is right in the situation.