Shloka 18
कपिल–स्यूमरश्मि संवादः
Kapila and Syūmaraśmi on Renunciation, Householder Support, and Epistemic Authority
यस्मादुद्विजते लोक: सर्वो मृत्युमुखादिव । वाक् क्रूराद् दण्डपरुषात् स प्राप्रोति महद् भयम्
yasmād udvijate lokaḥ sarvo mṛtyumukhād iva | vāk krūrād daṇḍaparuṣāt sa prāpnoti mahad bhayam ||
That from which the whole world recoils as if from the very mouth of Death—namely harsh speech, cruel and rod-like in its severity—brings great fear upon the one who employs it.
तुलाधार उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cruel, punitive speech is itself a form of harm: since everyone fears it like death, the one who uses such words invites great fear and danger upon himself; dharma requires restraint and gentleness in speech.
In Śānti Parva, Tulādhāra continues his ethical instruction, warning that harsh, punishing words terrify society and rebound upon the speaker as serious peril.