Shloka 20
Dasyu-maryādā and Buddhi-guided Rāja-nīti (दस्युमर्यादा तथा बुद्धिप्रधान-राजनीति)
इत्युक्त्वा चरणाभ्यां तु नेत्रे नूपसुतस्य सा । भित्त्वा स्वस्था तत इदं पूजनी वाक्यमब्रवीत्
ity uktvā caraṇābhyāṃ tu netre nūpasutasya sā | bhittvā svasthā tata idaṃ pūjanī vākyam abravīt ||
Dicho esto, ella golpeó y quebró con los pies los ojos del hijo del rey. Luego, serena y dueña de sí, aquella mujer venerable pronunció estas palabras—palabras dignas de ser escuchadas con reverencia—presentando el acto como una respuesta moral deliberada y no como un arrebato de ira sin freno.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes severe punishment with inner composure: the act is portrayed as intentional and morally framed, highlighting that ethical judgment in the epic often turns not only on what is done, but on the agent’s resolve, purpose, and the subsequent articulation of justification.
After speaking, an unnamed venerable woman uses her feet to destroy the eyes of a king’s son; immediately afterward, she remains calm and delivers a statement described as ‘worthy of reverence,’ indicating that her next words will explain or morally ground the drastic action.