Shloka 39
वाच्यावाच्यं न जानीषे नूनं मामवमन्यसे । भीष्मद्रोणमुखान् सर्वान् कस्मान्न स विजेष्यति,“क्या कहना चाहिये और क्या नहीं, इसका तुझे ज्ञान नहीं है। निश्चय ही तू अपनी बातोंसे मेरा अपमान कर रहा है। भला, मेरा पुत्र भीष्म-द्रोण आदि समस्त वीरोंको क्यों नहीं जीत लेगा? ब्रह्मन! मित्र होनेके नाते ही मैं तुम्हारे इस अपराधको क्षमा करता हूँ। यदि जीनेकी इच्छा हो, तो फिर ऐसी बात न करना”
vācya-avācyaṁ na jānīṣe nūnaṁ mām avamanyase | bhīṣma-droṇa-mukhān sarvān kasmān na sa vijeṣyati ||
“You do not know what ought to be said and what ought not to be said; surely you are slighting me with your words. Why should my son not conquer all those warriors—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and the rest—who stand at the forefront?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores restraint and discernment in speech—knowing what is appropriate to say (vācya) and what is inappropriate (avācya). Disrespectful words are treated as an ethical fault, especially in contexts of honor and counsel.
A speaker rebukes another for speaking improperly and disrespectfully, asserting confidence that his son can defeat even the foremost warriors like Bhīṣma and Droṇa. The tone reflects wounded honor and a defensive claim of martial capability.