Shloka 1.40.7
सगरपुत्राणां रसातलगमनम् — The Descent of Sagara’s Sons and the Wrath of Kapila
परिक्रान्ता मही सर्वा सत्त्ववन्तश्च सूदिता:।।।।देवदानवरक्षांसि पिशाचोरगकिन्नरा:।न च पश्यामहेऽश्वं तमश्वहर्तारमेव च।।।।किं करिष्याम भद्रं ते बुद्धिरत्र विचार्यताम्।
parikrāntā mahī sarvā sattvavantaś ca sūditāḥ | devadānavarakṣāṁsi piśācōragakinnarāḥ | na ca paśyāmahe ’śvaṁ tam aśvahartāram eva ca | kiṁ kariṣyāma bhadraṁ te buddhir atra vicāryatām ||
“We have scoured the whole earth, and many mighty beings—devas, dānavas, rākṣasas, piśācas, nāgas, and kinnaras—have been slain. Yet we do not see that horse, nor the one who stole it. What should we do now? Prosperity to you—let your judgment decide this matter.”
'The entire earth was ransacked. Mighty devatas, demons, rakshasas, pisachas, uragas and kinnaras were killed. (Yet) we could neither see the horse nor the thief of the horse. Reflect over this matter and direct us. Prosperity to you'!
Ends do not justify means: the sons admit widespread killing in pursuit of the horse, raising the dharmic issue of disproportionate violence and the need for wise, truthful deliberation (buddhi-vicāra) before further action.
After an exhaustive and destructive search, the sons report failure to find the sacrificial horse or the thief and ask Sagara to decide their next step.
Deference to authority and willingness to seek counsel; despite their force, they recognize the need for the king’s discerning judgment.