Shloka 18
Subhadrā-vilāpaḥ — Subhadrā’s Lament for Abhimanyu
Droṇa-parva 55
अन्योन्यमेवं शप्त्वा वै तस्थतुस्तत्र तौ तदा । अथ सोऊपि नृपो विप्रान् पानाच्छादनभोजनै:
anyonyam evaṁ śaptvā vai tasthatus tatra tau tadā | atha so 'pi nṛpo viprān pānācchādanabhojanaiḥ ||
S’étant ainsi maudits l’un l’autre, tous deux demeurèrent là en ce moment. Puis ce roi, lui aussi, prit soin des brāhmaṇas, leur fournissant boisson, vêtements et nourriture — geste qui reflète le devoir royal d’honorer et d’entretenir les savants, même au cœur de circonstances tendues.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when conflict and harsh speech arise (mutual cursing), dharma is upheld through proper conduct—here, the king’s continued honoring of brāhmaṇas with sustenance and gifts reflects the ethical ideal of royal responsibility and respect for learning and ritual authority.
Two individuals have just exchanged curses and remain standing there. Immediately afterward, the narrative notes that the king also provides hospitality to the brāhmaṇas—supplying drink, clothing, and food—signaling a shift from confrontation to the performance of customary royal duties.