Shloka 20
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
ततस्ते पार्थिवा: सर्वे समुत्पेतुरमर्षिता: । संस्पृशन्तः स्वकान् बाहून् दशन्तो दशनच्छदान्,फिर तो समस्त राजा इस अपमानको न सह सके; वे अपनी भुजाओंका स्पर्श करते (ताल ठोकते) और दाँतोंसे ओठ चबाते हुए अपनी जगहसे उछल पड़े
tataste pārthivāḥ sarve samutpetur amarṣitāḥ | saṃspṛśantaḥ svakān bāhūn daśanto daśanacchadān ||
Entonces todos aquellos reyes, incapaces de soportar la afrenta, se alzaron de un salto, airados. Golpeándose los propios brazos en desafío y mordiéndose los labios, se levantaron de sus asientos: señal visible del honor herido y de la ira que precede a la temeridad.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how wounded pride and perceived dishonor can rapidly ignite anger, pushing leaders toward impulsive, potentially unrighteous action. It implicitly cautions that self-control and discernment are essential for dharma, especially among those with power.
In the assembly, an affront occurs; the gathered kings cannot tolerate it. They leap up, striking their arms and biting their lips—traditional bodily signs of fury and readiness to retaliate—signaling that the situation is escalating toward confrontation.