Shloka 17
Prajñā as Pratiṣṭhā — Indra–Kāśyapa Saṃvāda (Śānti-parva 12.173)
सस्त्रीकुमारं च पुरं बभूवास्वस्थमानसम् । अपने मित्रको इस दशामें देखकर मन्त्री और पुरोहितोंके साथ राजा विरूपाक्ष फूट- फ़ूटकर रोने लगे। उनके महलमें महान् आर्तनाद गूँजने लगा। स्त्री और बच्चोंसहित सारे नगरमें शोक छा गया। किसीका भी मन स्वस्थ न रहा ।। अथाब्रवीन्नूषप: पुत्रं पापो5यं वध्यतामिति
sa-strī-kumāraṁ ca puraṁ babhūva asvastha-mānasam | athābravīn nūṣapaḥ putraṁ pāpo ’yaṁ vadhyatām iti ||
Bhīṣma said: “The entire city, together with its women and children, became distressed and mentally unsettled. Then Nūṣapa spoke to his son: ‘This man is wicked—let him be put to death.’”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective grief and fear can destabilize judgment and provoke immediate calls for harsh punishment. In a dharma context, it invites reflection on whether punitive action arises from righteous justice or from agitation and anger, implying the need for restraint and discernment before condemning someone.
The city, including women and children, is overwhelmed and mentally unsettled. In that atmosphere, Nūṣapa addresses his son and declares that a certain person is wicked and should be executed, signaling an escalation toward retribution amid public distress.