Shloka 23
Jaratkāru’s Conditional Marriage Vow and Vāsuki’s Offer (जरत्कारु-विवाह-नियमः)
सौतिर्वाच इति श्रुत्वा वचो घोरं स राजा कुरुनन्दन: । पर्यतप्यत तत् पापं कृत्वा राजा महातपा:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं-यह घोर वचन सुनकर कुरुनन्दन राजा परीक्षित् मुनिका अपराध करनेके कारण मन-ही-मन संतप्त हो उठे
Sautir uvāca—iti śrutvā vaco ghoraṁ sa rājā Kurunandanaḥ | paryatapyata tat pāpaṁ kṛtvā rājā mahātapāḥ ||
Dijo Sauti: Al oír aquellas terribles palabras, el rey—descendiente y orgullo de los Kurus—quedó atormentado por dentro. Habiendo cometido aquel acto pecaminoso, el austero monarca ardió en su interior de remordimiento, reconociendo el peso moral de su ofensa contra el sabio.
गौरयुख उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful ruler is bound by dharma: wrongdoing—especially disrespect toward a sage—creates inner suffering and moral accountability. The verse highlights conscience and remorse as immediate consequences of adharma.
Sauti narrates that King Parīkṣit hears harsh words (connected with the fallout of his offense) and becomes inwardly distressed, regretting the sinful act he has committed.