Shloka 20
अविशेषेण चैव त्वं प्रजा: संहर कामिनि । मम त्वं हि नियोगेन श्रेय: परमवाप्स्यसि,कामिनि! तुम मेरे आदेशसे सामान्यतः सारी प्रजाका संहार करो। इससे तुम्हें परम कल्याणकी प्राप्ति होगी"
aviśeṣeṇa caiva tvaṃ prajāḥ saṃhara kāmini | mama tvaṃ hi niyogena śreyaḥ param avāpsyasi, kāmini ||
Nārada said: “O beloved, destroy the creatures without discrimination—bring about the general dissolution of the populace. For by acting under my explicit commission, you will attain the highest good.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a morally weighty act (the destruction/withdrawal of beings) as being justified by niyoga—acting under an authoritative injunction—while promising śreyas (highest welfare). It highlights the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between personal moral hesitation and obedience to a higher, purportedly dharmic command.
Nārada addresses a woman (kāmini) and instructs her to bring about a general destruction of the prajāḥ, assuring her that compliance with his commission will lead to supreme benefit. The line functions as a directive speech-act: command + promised outcome.