Shloka 1936
नैच्छन्त तं भक्षयितुं पापकर्माणमित्युत । राक्षसराजके इस प्रकार आदेश देनेपर भी भयानक पराक्रमी राक्षसोंने गौतमको खानेकी इच्छा नहीं की; क्योंकि वह घोर पापाचारी था
naicchanta taṁ bhakṣayituṁ pāpakarmāṇam ity uta | rākṣasarājake
Bhishma said: “They did not wish to devour him, saying, ‘He is a man of sinful deeds.’ Thus, even when the lord of the Rakshasas issued the command, those fearsome and mighty Rakshasas had no desire to eat Gautama, for he was a grievous wrongdoer.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even beings known for violence recognize moral pollution: extreme sinfulness is portrayed as repulsive and unworthy, suggesting that adharma carries consequences that extend beyond legal punishment—one’s very person becomes ethically tainted and socially rejected.
Bhishma narrates that a Rakshasa-king orders his Rakshasas to devour Gautama, but they refuse, declaring him a grievous sinner; despite the command, they do not wish to eat him because of his wicked conduct.