Shloka 124
विहताश: क्षणेनास्ते तस्माद् देशादपाक्रमत् । जगाम स स्वभवनं चाण्डालो भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ] चाण्डालने उस जालको लेकर उसे सब ओरसे उलट-पलटकर देखा और निराश होकर क्षणभरमें उस स्थानसे हट गया और अन्तमें अपने घरको चला गया
vihatāśaḥ kṣaṇenāste tasmād deśād apākramat | jagāma sa svabhavanaṃ cāṇḍālo bharatarṣabha ||
Disappointed, the Caṇḍāla withdrew from that spot within a moment. Then, O bull among the Bharatas, he went back to his own home—his hopes thwarted and his effort rendered fruitless.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical realism that when an effort proves fruitless, one should withdraw without agitation. It highlights the state of being 'vihatāśa' (hope defeated) and the calm acceptance of outcome—an implicit counsel toward steadiness and non-attachment to results.
A Caṇḍāla, having failed in his immediate purpose, leaves the place at once and returns to his home. Bhīṣma narrates this as part of a larger illustrative episode in the Śānti Parva.