Shloka 25
शान्ति पर्व (अध्याय 38): युधिष्ठिरस्य राजधर्म-जिज्ञासा तथा भीष्मोपसर्पण-प्रस्तावना | Shanti Parva Chapter 38: Yudhishthira’s Inquiry into Rajadharma and the Prelude to Approaching Bhishma
स दुष्ट: पापमाशंसु: पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् | अनामन्त्र्यैव तान् विप्रांस्तमुवाच महीपतिम्,राजेन्द्र! तपस्या और नियममें लगे रहनेवाले और आशीर्वाद देनेके इच्छुक उन समस्त ब्राह्मणोंसे, जिनकी संख्या हजारसे भी अधिक थी, घिरा हुआ वह दुष्ट राक्षस महात्मा पाण्डवोंका विनाश चाहता था। उसने उन सब ब्राह्मणोंसे अनुमति लिये बिना ही राजा युधिष्ठिरसे कहा
sa duṣṭaḥ pāpam āśaṃsuḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām | anāmantryaiva tān viprāṃs tam uvāca mahīpatim, rājendra |
Vaiśampāyana said: That wicked one, intent on sin and longing for the downfall of the noble Pāṇḍavas, stood surrounded by more than a thousand brāhmaṇas—ascetics devoted to austerity and discipline, disposed to bestow blessings. Yet, without even seeking their consent, he addressed King Yudhiṣṭhira.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical lapse: acting and speaking without seeking due consent (anāmantrya) and being driven by harmful intent (pāpam āśaṃsuḥ). It contrasts the presence of righteous ascetics with the persistence of malice, implying that dharmic procedure and intention both matter.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a wicked being, wishing harm to the Pāṇḍavas, is surrounded by many brāhmaṇas engaged in austerity and discipline. Despite their presence, he bypasses them and directly speaks to King Yudhiṣṭhira without asking the brāhmaṇas’ permission.